Bruce Smith

They might have called him "the savior," for "Boo" Smith made a habit of salvaging victory from the depths of apparent defeat, doing it in flashy, long-run fashion and leading Minnesota to national titles in 1940 and 1941. In pacing the Gophers to the first of their back-to-back 8-0-0 campaigns, Smith was a sensation in 1940, scoring come-from-behind touchdowns that doused threats by Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan. A courageous and inspired performer, Smith saved his best for last. In 1941, as a senior captain of the Minnesota squad, he ran over the competition and won the Heisman Trophy. Smith's post-season play proved to be a continuation of his collegiate excellence. He was the MVP in the 1942 College All Star Game against the NFL's Chicago Bears and, after enlisting as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot, won the Player of the Year honors in Armed Forces competition.