Bowl Championship Series - Performer of the Week: LaDainian Tomlinson

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Friday, December 13, 2002
Performer of the Week: LaDainian Tomlinson
BCSfootball.com report

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON

School: TCU
Year: Senior
Position: Tailback
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 217
Hometown: Waco, Texas

YEAR	Games	Rush	Yards	Avg.	TD
Last week	vs. Northwestern	39	243	6.2	2
Season	2	63	419	6.7	5
1999	12	268	1,850	6.9	18
1998	12	144	717	5.0	8
1997	11	136	538	4.3	6
Career	37	601	3,524	5.86	37

Texas Christian tailback LaDainian Tomlinson sounded the loudest salvo of his 2000 Heisman Trophy candidacy.

The 5-foot-11 senior picked up where he left off in his season debut against Nevada, carrying the ball 39 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns, leading the then-No. 21 Horned Frogs (now 19th) to a 41-14 victory over Northwestern.

"It was just another day at the office," Tomlinson said. "I could have had 350, but I feel I still played well."

And play well he did. The Waco native rushed for 125 yards in the first half, sparking TCU to a 10-point lead at the break. Tomlinson's second half scoring runs came on a 22-yarder in the third quarter, followed by a 1-yard leap in the fourth that put the game out of reach. He had two other scoring runs of 34 and 74 yards nullified by holding penalties.

Last year, Tomlinson led the nation in rushing with 1,850 yards without much fanfare. Despite breaking the NCAA record with a 406-yard rushing effort against Texas-El Paso, LT did not even break the Top 10 in Heisman voting.

This year, his goal is the 2,000-yard plateau, but because TCU isn't a high-profile school, he may have to shatter the 2,000-yard barrier in order to achieve the necessary Heisman recognition.

Wisconsin's Ron Dayne won the Heisman a year ago with 1,834 yards rushing. In addition, he led the Badgers to their second straight Big Ten title and Rose Bowl victory. Aside from his skills, Dayne had the advantage of playing in a BCS conference where he received a great deal of notoriety. Tomlinson, playing in the not-so-visible WAC, must continually put together efforts like Saturday's against Northwestern in order to have his name near the top of the list of Heisman candidates.

ALSO SEE

Bowden Weekend wrap-up: ND's golden foot

Tomlinson rushes for 243 yards, TCU wins seventh straight

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