Heisman Goes to Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer can forget those first three seasons at USC, when he lost as much as he won and failed to fulfill the high expectations.

The Heisman Trophy does that for a player.

Palmer capped his rise from mediocrity to stardom by winning college football's most prestigious award Saturday night, taking the bronze statue back to the West Coast for the first time since USC's Marcus Allen did it 21 years ago.

The quarterback completed nearly 63 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards and 32 touchdowns with 10 interceptions this year. His biggest performance was his last against Notre Dame in a nationally televised game.

He kissed his fiancee, then stepped up to the podium and accepted the trophy.

"My heart's about to come out of my shirt," Palmer said. "This has been amazing, this whole journey through this season."

Palmer received 242 first-place votes and easily won by 233 points over Iowa quarterback Brad Banks in what was expected to be a much closer race.

Palmer went 16-16 as a starter before his senior season, unable to live up to all the expectations he brought with him when he joined the Trojans. But this year, things started to click under coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

In Chow's offense, Palmer set seven Pac-10 records and 23 Southern Cal passing and total offense marks.

"It was really an amazing experience to watch," said Carroll, who was not at the ceremony. "I can't imagine what he was going through. It's an amazing story for Carson. I wish we were all standing there with him. I had no clue all of a sudden he's the winner. My logic told me he'd win it, but I didn't know for sure."

Palmer turned around his career dramatically this year, leading the Trojans to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Orange Bowl against Iowa and Banks. His stunning performance against Notre Dame, in which he threw for 425 yards and four touchdowns, was crucial for a West Coast Heisman hopeful who doesn't get as much exposure as other candidates.

"I think it was the Notre Dame game," Palmer said. "If anyone else was playing in that game, maybe they would have gotten the trophy."

He is the fifth winner from USC, joining Allen, Charles White (1979), O.J. Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965). USC now has the third most winners, behind Notre Dame (seven) and Ohio State (six).

"When he walked up there and started making his speech, oh, my gosh," said Palmer's mother, Danna. "But it really wasn't until he gave me that hug that it felt real."

"I can't believe it. My son won the Heisman. It will follow him. You win this, and you're forever."