Special feature

On the Mark Running back Mark Ingram is Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner.

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The younger Ingram opened his sophomore season with a 150-yard effort against then-No. 7 Virginia Tech, then had three straight games that left him far from the Heisman conversation.

He had only 197 yards over the next three games against Florida International, North Texas and Arkansas - getting scant carries in the first two games, both blowouts.

When the numbers started improving, and the attention started growing, Ingram relied on running backs coach Burton Burns' advice: "Start where you are."

"Every Sunday when I went to watch film, he'd say, 'Start where you are, don't dwell on the past. Just keep getting better right now,"' Ingram said.

The South Carolina game moved him into serious Heisman territory. Ingram set a Bryant-Denny Stadium record with 246 yards. He covered all 68 yards on a late drive to seal the game, running five times out of the wildcat formation and taking a pitch for a 4-yard touchdown.

"They just put the ball in my hands," Ingram said. "That shows the kind of respect they have for me and the trust they have in me. That wasn't all me. I've got to give credit to the offensive line and receivers."

Not surprisingly, those kinds of comments have endeared him to his blockers. Guard Mike Johnson said Ingram has handled the Heisman hype "phenomenally."

"Great kid, great teammate. As an offensive lineman, he thanks us every day," Johnson said. "He shakes our hands and really shows he has confidence in us and (says) it's because of us, and we appreciate that from him."

Alabama hasn't had a player crack the Heisman top 10 since Alexander was seventh in 1999. Quarterback Jay Barker was fifth in 1994 while receiver/return man David Palmer was third the previous season.

Ingram appears to have the best chance among that group.

"We've never had a Heisman and he's been able to put together such a great season and really come through in the clutch for us all year," Johnson said. "You can't say enough about the kid. He deserves everything he gets."

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