We would like to take this opportunity to campaign for the true No. 1 contender in the race for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

The award is intended to be given each year to the best college football player in the country regardless of his school, team record or position.

We are in a select group that has witnessed this candidate’s great accomplishments in person and we would like to share the facts with those who have not been as lucky.

His abilities have carried an up-and-coming program that has faced undeniably one of the toughest schedules in college football in one of the premier football conferences.

Review the following facts and you will agree that, without a doubt, Iowa State’s Troy Davis is the No. 1 candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Davis is on the verge of his second 2,000-yard season, something that has never been accomplished in the history of Division I-A football.

Many of his critics argue that Davis’ yardage comes against weak opponents or after the game’s outcome has already been decided.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Iowa State’s 1996 schedule has been ranked among the nation’s five toughest.

Playing a non-conference schedule that included Top 25 teams such as Wyoming and Iowa, then a conference schedule with national powers such as Texas A&M, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas State does not allow statistics to be padded.

Five of Iowa State’s seven losses have been by a total of 17 points, showing that almost every game has been close.

Davis is carrying the ball with the game on the line and not against second- and third-string defenses. ISU lost to Texas A&M, Kansas and Wyoming by 3 points and to Colorado by 7 points.

All four of these teams are ranked in the top 25. ISU has an impressive offense because of Davis (scoring over 30 points per game).

However, it is difficult to win games when the defense is ranked 110th out of 111 1-A schools.

Davis’ success running the football for 2,010 yards in 1995 has only made his 1996 totals more impressive.

Teams facing Iowa State have one goal in mind: stop Troy Davis. Iowa State’s passing game has never been strong enough or consistent enough to open up the running game.

Davis has compiled 1,822 yards to date against 8 man fronts. He has not had the luxury of running through huge holes like most of the backs considered to be Heisman hopefuls.

Davis’ superior strength, balance and quickness allow him to take a hit and drag would-be-tacklers for extra yardage.

Against Colorado, 90 of his 228 yards came after contact. Just as often as Davis runs away from defenses, he runs through them and over them.

Troy’s durability is unequaled. In two seasons, he has not been injured, helped off the field or even slow to get up after a great hit.

He has brought many linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties to their knees with his unmatched pass blocking and tough running.

We would challenge any of the other Heisman candidates to be put in Troy Davis’ offense.

Could any of the other running back candidates (Hanspard, Autry, and Barber) put up similar numbers in Iowa State’s offense?

It is doubtful.

Could any of the quarterback candidates (Wuerffel and Manning) throw for the yardage and touchdown totals behind Iowa State’s offensive line?

Highly improbable.

If the tables were turned, and Davis were a running back for Florida, Florida State or Nebraska, he would be the hands-down winner of his second straight Heisman Trophy.

Let us remind you that Davis is the only running back in Division I history to run for over 2,000 yards and not receive the Heisman.

We feel it is more impressive to put up record-breaking numbers for a below-average team than to compile great statistics on a national powerhouse.

We hope that this information is convincing enough for you to reconsider Troy Davis for your Heisman vote and that he will not be overlooked for the second year in a row.

Vote for Troy Davis.

Dave Losen

Joe Butler

Dave Chongo

Dennis Bennett

Cyclones against Lee Corso