Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412140087
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Salaam, who led the nation in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards, captured college football's top award Saturday night by a comfortable margin over runner-up Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State.
The 6-foot, 215-pound junior is the first Colorado player to win the Heisman and the first running back to get the award since Barry Sanders in 1988.
Salaam credited his teammates for helping him win the award. ``It's all of us,'' he said, ``I'm just representing the whole offense.''
Salaam rushed for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns, and helped fourth-ranked Colorado go 10-1. He joined Heisman winners Sanders, Mike Rozier and Marcus Allen as the only Division I-A players to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.
Salaam received 400 first-place votes and 1,743 points in balloting by the media and former Heisman winners. Carter, whose 7.8-yard per carry average was best among the top runners, got 115 first-place votes and 901 points.
Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair was third, the best finish by a Division I-AA player since Gordie Lockbaum of Holy Cross was third in 1987. McNair, who set NCAA records for total yards in a season (5,799) and career (15,887), received 111 first-place votes and 655 points.
Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins, the country's leading passer, was fourth with 101 firsts and 639 points. It was the first time since 1983 that teammates finished in the top five. Nebraska's Rozier won the award that year, while Cornhuskers quarterback Turner Gill was fourth.
Salaam, Carter, McNair and Collins attended the Heisman ceremony along with Alabama quarterback Jay Barker and Miami defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Barker finished fifth and Sapp was sixth.
Rounding out the top 10 were Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier, Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, Washington running back Napoleon Kaufman and Nebraska offensive lineman Zach Wiegert.
Salaam swept all six voting regions, while Carter was second in every region except the South, where Barker was second, McNair third and Carter fourth.
Salaam set a school record with four 200-yard rushing games, including a career-high 317 against Texas. He also caught 24 passes for 294 yards.
``He's a big, fast, rugged back who can run, block and catch,'' said Colorado coach Bill McCartney. ``There's nothing he can't do.''
As a sophomore, Salaam split time at tailback with Lamont Warren and was the team's second-leading rusher. But after Warren left for the NFL, Salaam really blossomed.
``As soon as Lamont announced he was leaving, you could see the change in Rashaan,'' McCartney said. ``He knew he was going to be the main man, and he worked hard to get in the best condition of his life.''
Salaam, who played eight-man football in high school, wasn't always so motivated at Colorado. Homesick and upset over his lack of playing time, he wanted to leave after his freshman season. His mother and stepfather convinced him to stay.
``We convinced him to stick it out,'' said his mother Khalada, who runs a private elementary school in San Diego. ``He was very unhappy, but we told him quitting wasn't the answer.''
McCartney said Salaam has matured a lot since his troubled freshman year, when he partied more than he played. Nowadays, his personality better reflects the translation of his full Islamic name: righteous, faith, peace.
``He's really mellowed,'' McCartney said. ``He's been so humble this season, deflecting all the plaudits and always giving credit to his teammates.''
Projected as a first-round NFL pick, Salaam will be tempted to leave school early. But he won't make a decision until Colorado completes its season against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan.2.
``It's up in the air,'' he said recently. ``After the bowl game, I'll give myself three days and then make the decision.''
Carter and Collins were the biggest stars on an undefeated Penn State team that led the nation in scoring and total offense.
Carter rushed for 1,539 yards and 23 touchdowns, one less than Salaam. The senior saved his best for last, running for a career-high 227 yards and five touchdowns in his final regular-season game against Michigan State.
by CNB