Buck Allen Honored as Potential Heisman Trophy Candidate

Following an impressive start to the season, amassing 100-plus yards from scrimmage in each of his first nine games, USC tailback Buck Allen was given an impressive letter from the Heisman Trophy Trust.

Allen has amassed 1,124 yards this season (5.7 average) on 196 rushing attempts, contributing nine total touchdowns for the Trojans. The last time a USC tailback rushed for 100 yards or more in six straight games was when Marcus Allen was racing his way towards history and the Heisman Trophy in 1981.

USC RB Buck Allen has been officially notified that he is a "potential candidate" for the Heisman Trophy. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/XtucYG5qzB

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) November 10, 2014

Pacing the Pac-12 with 124.9 yards rushing per game, Buck Allen is on track to become the first USC player to lead the conference in rushing since Ricky Ervins accomplished the feat back in 1989, two years before Buck Allen was even born.

Heading into Thursday's matchup against the California Golden Bears, the Trojans are confident Allen has continue his 100-yard pace on the ground. Allen dashed through the Cal defense for touchdowns of 43, 57 and 79 yards in a 62-28 win last season, totaling 192 yards on just seven touches up in Berkeley.

While some of the nation's top tailbacks: Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin), Tevin Coleman (Indiana) and Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) catch the national spotlight, Buck Allen's dual-threat ability has transformed his game into elite-level status. Allen is currently 15th in the country in total rushing and has caught 28 passes for 334 yards this season.