Cam Newton's Run and 20 Other Famous Heisman Moments

Cam Newton's run against the LSU Tigers broke a 10-10 tie and propelled Auburn to a win, earning them the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings.

While the Tigers are sitting pretty at the top of the BCS, one thing is clear—Newton has been a tremendous difference-maker for the Tigers.

Could we be looking back at that 49-yard run months from now and consider that his Heisman moment?

If the season ended today, he would certainly make a strong case for the trophy.  While we still have much more college football left, let's take a look back at Newton's run and some of the best Heisman moments in history.

Enjoy!

1958: Pete Dawkins' 64-Yard TD

The Army's Pete Dawkins had the most memorable play of his Heisman season in 1958 against the Rice Owls.

He pulled in a pass from his quarterback on the run and kept his legs going as he ran by several Owl defenders.

With less than a minute left in a tie game, 7-7, he took the ball 64 yards for the score to lead Army to a tremendous win.

1966: Steve Spurrier Does It All Against Auburn

In 1966, Florida's Steve Spurrier completed 27 of 40 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown.

He also ran for a score and kicked a field goal with 2:17 left, which proved to be the game-winner against Auburn, 30-27.

Spurrier did it all and won the Heisman that season.

1967: OJ Simpson's 64-Yard Run Against UCLA

The Juice had a monster game against UCLA and was a Heisman candidate that season as a junior.  He ran the ball 64 yards in this video, as the Bruins beat crosstown rival USC. 

However, during a time when the Heisman Trophy normally went to seniors, Simpson did not win.

He did come back for his senior year and had a tremendous season, rushing for 1,709 yards and 22 TDs.

He won the Heisman in 1968 by the largest margin of victory in college football history.

1972: Johnny Rodgers' Game of the Century Punt Return

This amazing punt return from 1971 gained Rodgers notice for the following season, when he won a Heisman.

The Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game was a great time to showcase his talents.

Rodgers' biggest highlight from '72 was collecting 266 all-purpose yards against Colorado.

1974-75: Archie Griffin Wins Back-to-Back Heismans

Griffin, known as one of the greatest running backs in Ohio State Buckeyes history, won back-to-back Heisman Trophies in 1974 and 1975, the only player to accomplish such a feat.

He was the biggest reason that the Wolverines were kept from making Rose Bowl appearances during the early 1970s.

Griffin's play helped elevate the Buckeyes to four Big Ten titles between 1972 and 1975.

1976: Tony Dorsett Breaks Career Rushing Record

Pitt's Tony got his remarkable 1976 season started with a great game against the Irish.

Dorsett rushed the ball for 61 yards on his first carry, and the rest is history.

He helped Pitt win a national title that year.

Dorsett went on to win the Heisman and broke the all-time college football rushing record in a game against Navy in 1976.

1980: Herschel Walker Runs over Everyone

As a freshman in 1980, Walker literally runs over All-SEC safety Bill Bates on his way to the end zone.

That was the start of a remarkable college career with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Walker won the Heisman as a junior in 1982.

1984: Doug Flutie's Hail Mary Pass Against Miami

This Hail Mary pass gave Boston College one of the most dramatic wins in college football history, leading BC back from a 45-41 deficit against defending national champion Miami.

It also launched Doug Flutie into national prominence and helped him win a Heisman Trophy that year.

Flutie's play is also credited with the increase in college applications to Boston College, known as the "Flutie Effect."

1988: Barry Sanders' 100-Yard Kickoff Return

The Oklahoma State Cowboys' Barry Sanders goes end zone to end zone on this play in 1988.

Sanders went on to break several OSU school running records en route to a Heisman Trophy.

Sanders also had a successful NFL career and became one of the best running backs in football history.

1991: Desmond Howard's 93-Yard Punt Return Against Ohio State

Howard literally runs by Ohio State defenders in this remarkable punt return.

We've got a Heisman pose from Howard as Keith Jackson says, "Hellllo, Heisman!"

He locked up the trophy with that play.

Howard was the first receiver to lead the Big Ten in scoring with 138 points that season.

1995: Eddie George's 61-Yard Run Against the Irish

The Buckeyes' Eddie George got Heisman consideration after his big showing against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 1995.

It was a 61-yard sideline run that was able to gain him nationwide recognition (48-second mark on the video).

In that game, George rushed for 207 yards. He won a Heisman at the end of the year. 

1997: Charles Woodson's Punt Return Against Ohio State

Charles Woodson channels Desmond Howard and does what Howard did against OSU six years earlier, run it all the way back for a touchdown.

In that same game, he also caught a touchdown as a wide receiver and had a key interception in the end zone.

Woodson went on to win the 1997 Heisman Trophy.

1998: Ricky Williams Breaks Tony Dorsett's All-Time NCAA Rushing Record

In this game, Williams broke the all-time NCAA rushing record of 6,082 yards set by Tony Dorsett 22 years earlier, leading the Texas Longhorns to an upset over rivals Texas A&M, 26-24.

Williams went on to win the Heisman Trophy that year.

1999: Ron Dayne's TD Run Against Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers put 10 men in the box to match up against the 250-pound bruising running back, but they were no match for Dayne's combination of size and speed.

This was one of Dayne's best highlights on his way to a Heisman in 1999.

2001: Eric Crouch's 95-Yard Run Against Missouri

This was the longest run in Nebraska history, with Crouch going for 95 yards.

Nebraska was on a 3rd-and-8 before Crouch got flushed out of the pocket and took off for possibly the best run in school history.

2005: Reggie Bush's Stop-and-Go Run Against Fresno State

This was a 50-yard run that had Bush running at full speed on the outside, come to a complete stop, cut back and run full speed towards the end zone.

During this game, Bush collected 513 all-purpose yards.

In September 2010, Bush announced that he would return the Heisman Trophy he won that season. 

2006: Troy Smith's "Heisman Pass" Against Penn State

This pass proved that Smith was a definite Heisman candidate in 2006. 

He showed great mobility by avoiding pressure from the pass rush, and unleashed a great throw to Brian Robiskie for an impressive play.

2007: Tim Tebow's 5 Rushing TDs in 1 Game

The amazing Tim Tebow had a fabulous 2007 season, becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. 

Tebow was a dual threat during his college career and was the first college football player to both run for over 20 TDs and pass for over 20 TDs.

One of his biggest highlights from that season was when he scored five rushing TD's and threw for two more against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

2008: Sam Bradford's Flip

With plenty on the line in this big rivalry game, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford runs for the end zone and does a complete flip trying to score the touchdown against Oklahoma State.

2010: Cam Newton's 49-Yard Run Against LSU

The game was tied 10-10 in the third quarter with Auburn driving.

Then Cam Newton took over.  One big run and 49 yards later, the Tigers took the lead and never looked back.

Newton's play led Auburn to the win, made Auburn the only undefeated team in the SEC and catapulted them to the top of the BCS rankings.