Winning solves all, or at least most, issues, and it has other benefits as well. For Oregon St. quarterback Sean Mannion, its been a spectacular first month of the season, but even among Beaver Nation, who would have thought the sophomore quarterback that has his offense #4 in the nation in average passing yardage would be getting discussion from others on the "Heisman" topic?

It's one thing to have a school's sports information department promote their player, and even to have the beat writers covering the team to jump on the bandwagon. But when others whose' vested interests lie elsewhere bring up a name, as is happening after Mannion's back to back career best games, including directing the dramatic drive that beat Arizona, then you have done something.

It's October now, and the opposition will have refocused on doing something to counter the fast start that Mannion and his speedy targets Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks (who was added to the Biletnikoff watch list this week) are off to, but its also fun to see the local "good guys" getting some props that originated elsewhere.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com