(Oct. 19) – With Peter Warrick out of the picture, at least for now, the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman poll has become a three-player race among Georgia Tech’s Joe Hamilton, Alabama’s Shaun Alexander and Purdue’s Drew Brees.
With former unanimous leader Warrick still out pending the resolution of his legal problems, Hamilton maintained his lead in the poll this week. But Alexander is gaining on him.
Alexander, who had his top statistical game of the season Saturday with 214 rushing yards against Mississippi, now is only three points behind the Georgia Tech quarterback.
Hamilton received six of the 10 first-place votes, Alexander the other four. Last week, Hamilton had nine first-place votes and a 12-point lead.
Brees, meanwhile, had a spectacular game and also made up ground. He was third with 17 points last week. He remains third this week after throwing for 509 yards and five touchdowns in Purdue’s upset of Michigan State, but his points total has risen to 31.
Ron Dayne of Wisconsin remained fourth, and Chad Pennington is alone in fifth after breaking a tie with Warrick.
This week's poll, with first-place votes in parentheses: Player Pos. School Last week Pts. Joe Hamilton QB Georgia Tech 324 yds pass, 2 tds; 59 yds rush, 1 td 45 (6) Shaun Alexander RB Alabama 36 carries, 214 yards, 2 tds 42 (4) Drew Brees QB Purdue 40-for-57 pass, 509 yds, 5 tds 31 Ron Dayne RB Wisconsin 17 carries, 167 yds, 2 tds 14 Chad Pennington QB Marshall 27-for-37 pass, 393 yds, 3 tds 9
Others receiving votes
Peter Warrick, WR, Florida State, 4 points
LaVar Arrington, LB, Penn State, 3 points
Corey Moore, DE, Virginia Tech, 1 point
Chris Weinke, QB, Florida State, 1 point
