Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

10:03

Alright all, I’m gonna head out on the town. I’ve really enjoyed tonight and I hope I can make it back next year. If you all want to ask me more questions, I’ll file an entry tomorrow afternoon when I get back from the city.

Congrats to Troy Smith, Darren McFadden, Brady Quinn and everyone who received a vote.

Most of all, thanks to everyone who stopped by. I got a ton of hits in the three hours I was live. You guys rock. I’m not here if it’s not for y’all.

See you tamarra.

10:00

Pretty much the first thing out of his mouth was “preparation for Florida.”

Smith said the part of the documentary that touched him the most was the group of kids back in Cleveland in the BRICK organization. He said fitting himself into that equation was important to him.

“Keep pushing hard. I started there. Any kid in any situation can anything he can put his mind to. Male or female.” –Smith asked what he would say to the Cleveland youth.

He dubbed McFadden as “electrifying.” He said he’s a first-class guy “in every sense of the word.” He said he really understands the southern hospitality now.

He also said he is humbled to be a part of the elite group he now belongs to. He also talked about the importance of continuing to grow.

He said every time he plays the NCAA video game he always wins the Heisman, and that’s when he first through about it.

I will say that he’s a professional even though he has one college game left…man, Smith is defining polished.

He said he wished he could have thanked more people in his speech. “I don’t believe in writing speeches down. Speak from the heart.”

“The Smith family is a loud family. Whether you like it or not. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

On Tressel: “If you get into a situation where you rattle him, you’ve done something. He’s the embodiment of being even-keeled all the way though.”

Winning the Heisman ranks among the top of his accomplishments. He said he won’t harp on day after day because he doesn’t live in the past. He feels he just has to keep pushing on because winning a big game or an award is only so much in the grand scheme of things.

“I know Florida is gonna come in and be a very fast and physical team … We’re gonna have to go into the situation and be fundamentally sound across the board. Everybody’s gonna have to play with technique … We’re gonna have to look at our game plan and try to perfect it.”

Bringing the Heisman back to Columbus “means everything” to him. He said it’s a win for everybody in the state of Ohio.

Smith is not afraid to tell a reporter he’s not done with an answer...or to give his opinion about a dumb question.

“My heart was pounding tremendously. Brady kept making fun of me. Earlier in the day we laughed and joked and Brady showed me the classy guy he was. He knew it…he kept asking me if I was nervous. I don’t know how he [kept joking]. I’m still in awe.”

On the margin of victory: “I’m very gracious and thankful.”

He gave major thanks and props to the other finalists saying their seasons were just as trying, if not more, than his.

He said he only cried once…at the senior banquet. Now Steve Snaap owes him a double cheeseburger because he didn’t cry tonight.

“People like to bring up color. I don’t understand that. I see quarterbacks. ‘The third African American quarterback,’ I don’t see that.”

Reporter: What are you going to do now?
Smith: I’ve got to do more media.

Smith loves Jay Z and Lil Wayne…my two favorite rappers…gotta love that.

Seems like a great guy…

9:55

Smith is still talking...I'll have an update when he's done.

9:32

Still waiting on Smith. When I talked to Chris Leak earlier this week, Troy Smith's name came up. Here's what he had to say about his MNC adversary...

“You just see an excellent player. A guy up for the Heisman Trophy. The way he’s matured as a quarterback over the years, his game has just improved every week, every year. You admire that. He’s very accountable to his teammates and at the same time he’s very humble and you can tell he knows he’s been very blessed. I’ve always been a great supporter of him.”

9:25

By the way, while we’re waiting on Smith…Steve Snapp, who Smith thanked in his speech didn’t get back to me this week. I was trying to get a couple of Buckeyes on the phone so I could put together a story for tonight…I corresponded with someone from the OSU sports information office who passed my info along to Steve Snaap who didn’t take the two minutes to help a kid out.

Oh well. I guess OSU wins in the end and I don’t.

However, that news about Zbikowski might be out not before long. Just remember where you heard it first...respect.

9:18

Darren spoke next saying he felt Troy was very deserving and that he’d vote Smith No. 1 if he had a vote.

He said the feeling was 10 times worse than pregame butterflies.

Finishing second wasn’t that big of a deal. He harped on the experience as a whole.

He said he learned that he needs to keep working hard and said he’d keep at it.

As far as playing QB, he said it was fun and he loved doing it.

Darren is very to the fact. You can tell he’s two years younger, but that he’s having a great time.

He said they were playing Madden in the green/red room and that he “beat [Quinn] pretty bad.”

He’s a Kinesology major (spelling??)

Pretty impressive that he finished second.

9:15

Quinn spoke first…

He said he was happy for Troy and that if he had a vote he felt would have voted Smith first. He also went into the fact he was surprised he finished third, but not surprised Troy won based on the fact the Maxwell award doesn’t generally win the Heisman…but the fact that he won the Heisman made him think he would finish in second.

He said he has two more finance exams and a poly sci exam and he is graduated, and after that his focus is on LSU, then combine stuff.

9:05

More numbers…

Smith received 801 first place votes. Everyone in the top 10 received at least 1 first place vote. Darren McFadden received 45 first place votes, Quinn had 13. Smith’s two strongest regions were the Midwest (451 points) and Southwest (447 points). His worst region was the Far West (389).

I’m going to go check out this press conference action…

I’ll be back with a wrap up.

By the way…Dusty, great point. If Maurice Clarett could talk now, what would he say???

9:00

Here are the results…points in parenthesis

1. Troy Smith (2,540)
2. Darren McFadden (878)
3. Brady Quinn (782)
4. Steve Slaton (214)
5. Mike Hart (210)
6. Colt Brennan (202)
7. Ray Rice (79)
8. Ian Johnson (73)
9. Dwayne Jarrett (47)
10. Calvin Johnson (43)

8:57

I really don’t think you can go wrong with Smith as the Heisman winner.

My first Heisman watch had Troy Smith at No. 4 way back in September. The following week I had him at No. 2 where he stayed until Adrian Peterson went down with injury.

I just received the official results. Let me look through it real quick. Be right back.

8:54

Longest speech ever...

8:49

The story of Ted Ginn Sr. is actually very incredible. He’s done so much for Cleveland’s youth just by being a football coach. ESPN did a great job with that piece…with all of the pieces actually.

I’m trying to decide how I’ll attack this press conference. Should I just type up the best quotes and put them on here tonight. Do you want me to record it, sift through the tape and post a more thorough version tomorrow…what do you all think??

8:43

I'm glad they brought up his two-game suspension. It's funny because Erik and I had just talked about that. I think it's more than fair that people have let Troy put that behind him, but it's definitely part of his legacy. I liked Ron's post though. Everyone that has developed Troy Smith into the person he is today gets a part of the award if he does indeed win. What a road he's traveled.

As far as magic in the air? I think the feeling here is that Troy will win it...

8:38

Even if Darren McFadden doesn't win the award, I'm not sure it gets much funnier than the line about people in Manhattan walking fast. I know what he's talking about...coming up from Virginia, I was in a world of pain. And I'm sure he's from a much more rural part of the country than I am. He should try driving here...

And as far as the open bar, I found out they're one step ahead of everyone here...no bourbon. And my bourbon of choice? I don't have one really, I'm not that sophisticated.

8:28

To harp on Jeremy's comment. Yes, a double major while starting at QB for the Irish is quite the feat in itself. Major props.

And there's that friggin' Buckeye again...makes me feel dumb every time I see it.

Also, there's a HD projection screen in here...I think the only TV bigger than this is jumbotron at Texas' football stadium.

I will definitely post pics when I get to the office on Monday.

8:25

Well, I have to say, seeing the Nissan commercial brought up a dark moment for me. When that commercial was first produced, I RACKED MY BRAIN trying to figure out what the big boulder-looking thing was bouncing/rolling after the trophy. After calling a few people, I was finally made fun of by a buddy for not realzing it's a Buckeye. Hello college football fanatic.

Also, is the first 50 minutes of the presentation necessary? I guess it all goes back to the business of it all. Can we just show some sweet montages and get to the announcement?

8:07

Random thoughts:

If Bonnie Bernstein isn't hitched, I should take her out on the town tonight.

The green room is very red.

Also, who do you think would win in an Xbox 360 of the three? I know all of them have to be amazing.

And there’s Archie…I think him winning it twice is so overlooked as an amazing feat.

8:03

My best suit award goes to Brady Quinn. But Smith and McFadden are stylin’ and profilin’ as well.

Also, is the Heisman the coolest trophy out there? I think the Stanley Cup might have it…what else do we have? I think those two are 1 and 1A.

And there's Eddie...11 years? I was 11 years old when Eddie George won the Heisman? I'm not believing that for a second...I think it's a lie.

7:55

Kevin wanted to know where the guests of honor are dining, which plays in to what I wanted to write about next…

I’m sure there is a handful of keen readers out there thinking “Why is he at the Hard Rock, the announcement is not there?”

Well, first let me say that the announcement is now at the Nokia Theatre. They used to crown the winner at the famous Downtown Athletic Club, but they’ve changed that venue. I had forgotten when I found out I was covering the Heisman and was a little disappointed. But, it seems a lot of people have forgotten they moved the announcement location as well because I had to tell a few people this week where it was and they were shocked. Was it not publicized that much or we all just ignorant? Hopefully it’s the former.

Now, the way this works is we stay here at the Hard Rock and hang out until the announcement is made. Once the winner has been made known, the runner ups will come over for a presser, followed by the winner. So, yes, I’m watching it on TV like you are. The difference is I get fed and we talk to the fellas after it’s all said and done.

As for what’s going on here…a lot of laptops, chatter and eating. Myself, I had another plate of food followed by an amazing chocolate chip cookie and cream puff – I’m cutting myself off. A camera operator just popped over my shoulder to film press row…so if they show a bunch of people typing and reading notes during an interlude, I was RIGHT THERE. Almost famous…

I did see NBC Sports set up. The question is: If Brady Quinn doesn’t win, do they do a report? Kidding, KIDDING.

We’re five minutes away from showtime. Keep the questions coming.

7:30

Some down time...

To answer Ron's question: As far as who will be representing Ohio State tonight (Arichie, Eddie, etc.), I'm not quite sure. I checked with some of the officials here and they were unsure. Actually, the answer I received was "Well, I know of Troy..." Really? I thought he may have forgotten this was taking place...I will stay on top of that though.

And, to retort from a comment earlier today. Brady Quinn had a fine season, I'm not denying that. I just don't feel he's deserving of the Maxwell. The O'Brien? Fine. He did have a great season. I know he had the same number of INTs and more TDs and yards than Smith and many more attempts, but muchh of his body of work was against Stanford, North Carolina, the service academies, etc. I feel Smith was more deserving of the Maxwell and tonight's award because he came up big when his team needed him. I know Quinn was huge in Michigan State and got the job done at Georgia Tech and was clutch in the UCLA game, but I take those three games and I put them next to Smith's performance against Michigan and Texas...and that's that.

Also, in case you were curious, Erik Boland brought up a good point. The telecast previewing the Heisman said Darren McFadden was looking at the skyline from the Empire State Building, but that was the Chrysler Building. I don't think anyone will lose their job over it.

7:05

Okay, so the news.

I have it from a very trusted source that Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski will be back for his senior year. As we all know, Tom has a passion for boxing and he’s quite good at it. From what I gather, he cannot box and play in the NFL simultaneously, something he CAN do while at Notre Dame. So expect No. 9 to destroy WRs for another season in South Bend.

Much thanks to my source, once again…youtheman.

As far as the buffet, I enjoyed a plate full of shrimp, chicken, roast beef, pasta, ribs…the list goes on. I was told the food would be outstanding here, but I didn’t know it’d be this good. The Hard Rock really pulled out all the stops. I also hear there is a bar here...it wouldn’t be unprofessional to truckhouse about 10 bourbon gingers, would it?

Check back at about 7:30 or so…

6:45

Hey hey,

So I’m here at the Hard Rock with Erik Boland…because I’m a genius, I forgot to bring the USB to connect the camera, so we’re photoless…but I’m a writer, so I’ll try to paint the visual.

After fighting the mob in the Hard Rock shop, I crossed the velvet rope to pick up my info and get signed in. When you walk into the room there is a buffet immediately to the left (I’ll get into that later…).

Down at the bottom is a gallery with about…75 chairs set up for the press conference after the announcement. The stage isn’t too big, but it’s not like there’s 500 people here, so it’ll do just fine. As far as work stations go, there just isn’t enough room. I’m really putting the lap part of laptop into good use.

Not much buzz in the room yet, everyone’s stuffing their faces with this buffet. I’m going to bolt for a few minutes to inspect the buffet line and get a better feel for what’s going on. I’ll report back around 7-7:10…and I have some news about a high profile junior from a very high profile college who is staying for his senior year. To my knowledge, this information has not been made public yet…stay tuned!!

Feel free to ask questions via comments!
Adam