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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, February 2,2002

HULA BOWL
Crouch not resting on Heisman laurels

 •  Hula Bowl brings players to fans

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Despite winning the Heisman Trophy, Nebraska's Eric Crouch says "I have to go out and prove myself."

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu AdvertiseriserNT>

. . .

•WHAT: Hula Bowl All-Star Football Classic.

•WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. today/Maui

• TV: ESPN

WAILUKU, Maui — The 2001 Heisman Trophy race actually began in 2000 with the creation of "Heisman Watch" lists.

Then schools distributed CD-ROMs, videos, postcards, note pads and posters trumpeting their players as Heisman Trophy candidates. Boosters spent $250,000 to plaster a 10-story mural of Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington on a building in mid-town Manhattan.

The Downtown Athletic Club mailed out 924 ballots, and the results were announced on a nationally televised show.

For all of that effort, it would be best not to tell those involved in the promotion — and commotion — that the eventual winner, Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, keeps the 67th Heisman Trophy "packed away in a box" in his family's home.

"Obviously, it's in a safe place," said Crouch, who will compete in today's Hula Bowl Maui at War Memorial Stadium, but "I don't have it on display. That doesn't fit my character to display it."

Instead, Crouch credits his Nebraska teammates. "I know they helped me get the award," he said.

Crouch has been heralded as a team player, even though it appeared he was left to go 1-on-11 in a 37-14 loss to Miami in last month's Bowl Championship Series title game. His ability to pass, scramble and solve defensive riddles during chaotic times are traced to his youth.

During street games, "I would play quarterback, receiver, whatever. I wanted to go out there and be competitive."

Playing football, he said, "makes me feel like a kid again. That's the enjoyment of it."

Crouch's multi-tasking abilities — he amassed 3,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing during his Nebraska career — make him an intriguing pro prospect. Even at 6 feet and 200 pounds, undersized by pro standards, he believes he can play quarterback in the National Football League.

"I have to go out and prove myself," said Crouch, who will have opportunities today and in the coming scouting workouts.

But he said scouts can cull from "four years of game tape at Nebraska," and "there will be a lot of opportunities to go out there and prove I can play quarterback."

He said he would be open to moving to running back or wide receiver. "I want to be on the offensive side, for sure," he said. "I haven't heard any talk about playing defense."