Detmer believes BYU could have another Heisman winner


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PROVO — Ty Detmer proudly displays his Heisman Trophy in his home office and even shows it off to the players he coaches at Saint Andrews Episcopal School in Austin, Texas.

"You know I've had the trophy out to the school once or twice for different things."

He won college football's most coveted trophy the same year Taysom Hill was born and he says he can and can't believe it's almost been a quarter century since he won the award.

"It doesn't seem that long ago that you are suiting up in the stadium and playing and having the time of your life," he said.

The Texas native knew he had a good chance to be a Heisman contender in 1990 after he threw for 4,560 yards his sophomore year and totaled 594 yards of total offense against Penn State in the Holiday Bowl. He says his candidacy would hinge on one game.

"If we could play well against Miami we may have that opportunity, but never in your wildest dreams do expect to win a Heisman Trophy," Detmer said.

Detmer played fantastic in the nationally broadcast 28-21 victory over the No. 1 Hurricanes. And his experience is the main reason why he thinks current Cougar QB Taysom Hill has a chance to pose with the Heisman Trophy this year.

"Taysom was on his way to being in that discussion last year and was injured," Detmer said. "You know, I was planning on having to go to New York. I had a hunting trip planned for that weekend and I was like, 'Man, I might have to cancel the hunting trip because this guy is tearing it up.'"

Hill is currently a dark horse candidate for the Heisman hardware before the season even starts. And unlike Detmer's one big game against Miami, Hill will have plenty of chances to prove himself.

"You know (BYU) is playing some of the best of the best and if you go out and perform and do what he did last year and for a full year, he's going to be in the discussion," Detmer added.

Hill's injury plagued career means that Detmer has probably not booked his hotel room in the Big Apple just yet. But if Hill totals Detmer-like numbers this season, make no mistake that Detmer will be voting for Hill. And he won't be objective about it.

"There are guys there every year who are voting for their own guys to vote for them so I don't have to be objective at all," Detmer joked. "That's the great thing about having a vote. You get to vote for who you want."

We'll now have to wait and see if he will cancel another hunting trip to welcome the second-ever BYU Heisman Trophy winner.

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