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They are dusting off the name of John Cappelletti this weekend. Who is John Cappelletti you ask? He was the tailback and one of the leaders on Joe Paterno's undefeated 1973 Penn State Nittany Lions. On a 12-0 team, Cappelletti rushed for 1,522 yards and 17 touchdowns in 1973. He closed the season with three straight 200 yards rushing games, including 220 against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Cappelletti, from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, won the Maxwell Award, the UPI College Football Player of the Year, and the Walter Camp Award. He was also the 1973 Heisman Trophy winner. This weekend they are dusting off his name because of what he has in common with one of the leading candidates for the 2009 Heisman, Stanford running back, Toby Gerhart.

Gerhart led the NCAA Division-I in rushing this year with more than 1,700 yards. He also led the country in touchdowns with 26. He won the Doak Walker award, annually given to the best running back in college football. He faces some stiff competition in New York tonight. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is seeking to join Ohio State legend, Archie Griffin, as the only two time winners. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is seeking to become the first defensive player to win since Charles Woodson in 1997. (Woodson also returned punts and played a little wideout, meaning Suh could become the first exclusively defensive player to win the award.)

Gehart, should he win would become the first PAC-10 winner from a school not named USC since 1970. He would also become the first player to win the Heisman from a four loss team since 1969. But neither of these are his connection to Cappelletti. Gehart, should he win tonight, would be the first white running back to win the Heisman since his Penn State predecessor.

Labels: college football, sports