Run For The Heisman

Sometimes all it takes is one play to propel a player into serious Heisman Trophy contention. That happened last Saturday on Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace 's spectacular touchdown run from the Texas Tech 12-yard line in the third quarter of the Cyclones' 31-17 victory. So while some preseason Heisman favorites dropped by the wayside—Rex Grossman and Chris Simms , to name two—Wallace, who has completed 109 of 170 passes for 1,653 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for five more scores, became a front-runner for the award.

Here's how Wallace 's amazing scramble unfolded: "It was designed as a three-step pass play," says Iowa State offensive coordinator Steve Brickey. " Seneca had four receivers to choose from, depending on what the defense was giving us. But the defense played it well, and Seneca wisely chose not to force the ball into coverage. At that point you want your quarterback to throw it away, but he started to move around, buying time while waiting for a receiver to get open. Sometimes we coaches just have to look at each other and shake our heads. He's that good."

Iowa State
0 Yards

Texas Tech
1 Yards
11:33
Boats last defender to pylon for touchdown; nonchalantly drops ball at ref's feet

Texas Tech
9 Yards
11:36
Sprints for left pylon, picking up wideout Jamaul Montgomery as escort at left hashmark

Texas Tech
13 Yards
11:37
Loops around crushing block from running back Michael Wagner

Texas Tech
8 Yards
11:38
Released to middle of field by key block from center Zach Butler

Texas Tech
12 Yards
11:40
Avoids tackle by sidestepping left, then right, around sprawling defender; cuts sharply left in front of three more would-be tacklers

Texas Tech
23 Yards
11:42
Streaks past defender, tightropes sideline for 15 yards

Texas Tech
29 Yards
11:43
Runs to right sideline, still pursued by defender