Heisman Again Eludes Darren McFadden

Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden made history at Saturday's Heisman Trophy ceremony. Just not the way he wanted.

Rather than become the first Razorback to win the coveted award, McFadden had to settle for earning the highest percentage of votes for a runner-up. McFadden earned 31 percent of votes, finishing behind Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow became the first sophomore winner in the award's 73 years. McFadden also finished second as a sophomore, becoming only the second player in Heisman history to do that. North Carolina running back Charlie Justice was a runner-up in 1948 and 1949.

McFadden was awarded 291 first-place votes and 1,703 total. Tebow was first on 462 ballots and had 1,957, winning by 254. McFadden and Tebow joined Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan as finalists honored by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City.

It was a disappointing ending to an award-winning season by McFadden. Earlier in the week the 6-2, 212-pound Little Rock native earned his second consecutive Doak Walker Award and became the first Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year in Arkansas history.

McFadden set Arkansas' single-season records this year with 1,725 rushing yards and 2,172 all-purpose yards, breaking records he set last year. He scored 16 touchdowns and had nine 100-yard rushing games.

October was a difficult month for McFadden, who entered the season as the Heisman front-runner. He finished with a huge November, running for an SEC record-tying 321 yards against South Carolina, and he capped his season with a spectacular performance - 206 yards rushing, three touchdowns and a TD pass - in the Razorbacks' 50-48 triple-overtime win over No. 1 LSU. It seems doubtful the junior with sprinter's speed will return to Arkansas next year to make another run at the Heisman. Not with some NFL team likely to make him a top-10 draft pick.

"When you're playing against the best competition, you have to bring your best game," McFadden told ESPN analyst Kirk Hirbstreet during the awards ceremony. "That's something I do. I try to go out there and bring my ‘A' game."

McFadden is the Razorbacks' all-time leading rusher (4,485 yards) and all-purpose yardage leader (5,743). He is the only player since Georgia's Herschel Walker, a Heisman winner, to run for 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Arkansas coaches often lined McFadden up at quarterback where he showcased his versatility. McFadden passed for four touchdowns this season, helping the Razorbacks to an 8-4 record and Jan. 1 date with Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

Tebow, on the other hand, was a quarterback often utilized as a running back He was the first player to run for 20 touchdowns and throw 20 touchdown passes in the same season. He accounted for 51 touchdowns overall, including a Southeastern Conference-record 22 on the ground.

Tebow was second in the country in passer rating (177.9), with 3,132 yards and 29 touchdown passes.

"I am fortunate, fortunate for a lot of things," Tebow said. "God truly blessed me and this just adds on. It's an honor. I'm so happy to be here."

Florida now has three Heisman Trophy winners, all quarterbacks. Steve Spurrier, who now coaches at South Carolina, won the award in 1966. Danny Wuerffel was honored in 1996.

Brennan, a senior, threw for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns directing unbeaten Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense. Daniel, a junior, passed for 4,170 yards and 33 touchdowns working out of the Tigers' spread formation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.