Heisman Spotlight: Bryce Love
Despite starting off the season on the wrong foot, Stanford is getting ready to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl next week. After losing crucial players such as Christian McCaffrey and Solomon Thomas from a season ago, many believed Stanford wouldn’t have enough firepower to compete with the top teams in the PAC-12. However, the emergence of Bryce Love kept the Cardinal’s playoff hopes alive. He was the most consistent running back in the FBS, playing well in every game. Love was the runner-up for the Heisman this season, and with another year of eligibility left, he very well could be the favorite to win the award if he is to return to Stanford for his senior year. Whether he stays in school or enters the draft, Love’s impact and importance are not taken for granted.
As alluded to before, what makes Love stand out compared to the rest of the field is his consistency. He rushed for 100-plus yards in 11 of the 12 games he played. Love literally carried Stanford to victories, racking up 237 rushing attempts on the season. On top of that, Love totaled 1973 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He is second in the FBS in rushing yards and is tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns. Love was able to attract the national spotlight due to his breakaway ability. Stanford’s offensive line was able to give Love enough room to burst through the holes and make big plays with his legs. In 10 games, Love had at least one run of 50-plus yards. On top of that, he had at least one run of 60-plus yards in six of those games. Many of these plays were all over television and social media, but the one game that stood out the most was Love’s performance versus Arizona State. Considered his ‘Heisman moment’, Love tallied 301 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Love’s performance was one for the ages, and it really catapulted him into the Heisman race. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield ended up winning the Heisman, and he completely deserved it; nevertheless, Bryce Love’s season shouldn’t be forgotten.
Hunter Pitcoff is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hxp80@psu.edu.
