The LSU campus has been abuzz with the prospect of having a second Heisman Trophy winner from the University.
After a school record-setting 257 all-purpose yards in LSU’s football opener Sept. 4 against North Carolina, junior cornerback Patrick Peterson entered into conversation as a Heisman hopeful.
“I don’t know the validity, honestly, of making a guy a Heisman Trophy candidate because that’s something that happens over the course of time,” said LSU coach Les Miles after the UNC game. “I would say, very honestly, that he had the kind of night tonight, on a national level, which would put him in line for any national award, including the very highest.”
Peterson struck the famous Heisman pose in the end zone Sept. 25 after a 60-yard punt return during LSU’s 20-14 win against West Virginia, and fans haven’t looked back since.
The University Athletic Department has ramped up intensity for the Peterson Heisman campaign by increasing awareness of the star athlete.
Students and local businesses have also been active in the Heisman campaign.
Several restaurants are displaying signs promoting Peterson, including North Gate Tavern, Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant, Pluckers and TJ Ribs, which houses Billy Cannon’s 1959 Heisman Trophy.
Alma Zavala, manager at Pluckers Wing Bar, said the restaurant may create a shot or drink special in Peterson’s name to recognize his prominence.
“Anything we can do to advertise LSU is good for us and is good for the community,” Zavala said.
The Athletic Department passed out cardboard cutouts of Peterson’s Heisman pose on the trophy stand to the student section during Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
Jacob McCabe, music performance sophomore, said he and his friends got to hold one of the Peterson cutouts in the student section.
“It’d be awesome for the school and football program,” McCabe said. “We haven’t had a Heisman winner since Billy Cannon.”
But businesses selling University merchandise aren’t allowed to produce material with Peterson’s name.
Jared Loftus, owner of the Tiger District site, said it’s a big infraction to use Peterson’s name. He said Peterson for Heisman shirts are likely made bootleg by students and not by a vendor.
Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette said the Athletic Department hasn’t started a full-blown campaign, but officials are looking to this week’s football game against Florida to see how Peterson plays.
He called Peterson’s Heisman pose a “great marketing campaign on his part.”
Bonnette said the Athletic Department has been collecting comments from well-known sports commentators and spreading the word about Peterson.
The Athletic Department has spent little money on the campaign and doesn’t anticipate spending much more, Bonnette said.
“We’ll try to figure out something to put his name out there,” Bonnette said. “Patrick has another effort on Saturday to play on national TV.”
At the West Virginia postgame press conference Sept. 25, Miles said he was in the press box when Michigan Heisman-winning wide receiver Desmond Howard struck the pose after his famous punt return against Ohio State.
“The last time that I saw it live, I had a wide smile on my face and hoped very frankly that that man won the Heisman, and I feel the same way,” Miles said. “Patrick Peterson is a good person, and it’s so much fun to root for a guy that is a team player.”
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