We’ve seen more talented runners. Thomas, Perry, Morris, Biakabatuka, etc. But man, seriously, is there anymore who does more with less than Leon Michael Hart?
It seems this most recent win against Penn State brought because the unofficial love-in weekend for him. Facing a real team, and doing it without Chad Henne for the first time, Mike took the team on his back and did everything he needed to do. Especially to protect a very green freshman quarterback. He also served up the two most “Mike Hart” plays in his career.
The one yard touchdown run in which he seemed to get hit by every Penn State defender was a thing of beauty. He had to be down, there was no way anyone could still be reaching for the goal line that late after getting hit. Nope. He did it. It wasn’t even that he managed to reach it. It was that there simply seemed to be no stopping him, despite everyone in the stadium, including Penn State, knowing who was getting the ball.
The other thing that truly stood out was Mike Hart simply popping a 6′3″, 240lb Dan Connor on a pass play in which the whole stadium and the announcing booth did a double-take. Who else lays themselves out for their team the way this guy does?
Lee Corso put him as his early favorite to win the Heisman… but seriously, I don’t think it’s meant for him. Actually, I don’t think it’s worthy of him.
We’re going to miss him when he’s gone.
