NEW YORK -- Jameis Winston left voters no choice but to give him the Heisman Trophy. Custom Football Jerseys Throwback . The Florida State quarterback became the second straight freshman to win the Heisman on Saturday night, earning college footballs most prestigious individual award with a performance so spectacular and dominant that even a criminal investigation couldnt derail his candidacy. "I cannot explain the feeling that I have inside right now," Winston said. "Im so overwhelmed. Its awesome." When his name was announced, he popped from his seat and quickly made his way to his mom and dad for hugs and kisses. He smiled and laughed through most of his acceptance speech, but got a little choked up when he talked about his parents. "When you see your mom and your dad and theyve been struggling through this whole process it was nice to see a smile on their faces," he said. Winston received 668 first-place votes and 2,205 points. He finished 1,501 points ahead of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron for the seventh-largest margin of victory in Heisman history, despite being left off 115 of the 900 ballots that were returned. Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch was third, followed by Boston Colleges Andre Williams, Texas A&Ms Johnny Manziel and Auburns Tre Mason. Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman, and was trying to join Ohio States Archie Griffin as a two-time winner. Instead, Winston made it two freshman winners in the 79-year history of the Heisman. He also became the youngest winner at 23 days short of 20. The 19-year-old also was investigated last month for a year-old sexual assault complaint, but no charges were filed and the case was closed four days before Heisman votes were due. "People trusted me and saw us play," Winston said. Winston is the nations top-rated passer and has led the top-ranked Seminoles to a spot in the BCS championship game against No. 2 Auburn on Jan. 6, his birthday. The former five-star recruit from Bessemer, Ala., made college football look easy from his very first game. On Labor Day night, on national television, Winston went 25 for 27 for 356 yards and four touchdowns in a victory at Pittsburgh. It was a brilliant debut that lived up to the off-season hype, when Winston wowed Florida State fans in the Seminoles spring football game and on the baseball diamond as a hard-throwing reliever and clutch-hitting outfielder. He had already earned the nickname Famous Jameis before he ever played a college football game. And he quickly became one of the most beloved Seminoles since Charlie Ward, the 1993 Heisman winner. Winston is the third Seminoles quarterback to win the award, along with Chris Weinke in 2000. Winston and Florida State were cruising toward an undefeated season when news broke of an unresolved sexual assault complaint against him made to the Tallahassee Police Department last December. The dormant case was handed over to the state attorneys office for a full investigation. A female student at Florida State accused Winston of rape. Winstons attorney said the sex was consensual. During three weeks of uncertainty, Winston continued to play sensationally, especially in Florida States big games against Clemson and Miami, while other contenders stumbled or failed to distinguish themselves. If voters were looking to Manziel or McCarron or Lynch or Williams or even Marcus Mariota of Oregon to give them a good alternative to Winston, it didnt happen. Mason made a late surge and ended up in New York because of the lack of serious challengers to Winston. The Heisman Trust mission statement says: "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity." Its a statement that has put the Heisman in awkward situations before. In 2010, Cam Newton played the season under the cloud of an NCAA investigation. He had also had legal troubles while in college. But like Winston, there was no doubt he was the best player and he won the award. Before last season, Manziel was arrested after being involved in a fight and providing police fake ID. It didnt stop Johnny Football from winning the Heisman. Johnny Rodgers, the 1972 winner from Nebraska, pleaded guilty to a felony after helping to hold up a gas station as a freshman in 1970. He was pardoned earlier this year. Reggie Bush had his 2005 Heisman stripped after the NCAA determined he had violated its rules during that season. But the Heisman trust did not ask Billy Cannon and O.J. Simpson to return their Heismans after serving jail time. The accusations against Winston were serious and documents released by the police with the accusers allegations were not flattering to him. It probably explains why so many voters left him out of their top three. Last year Manziel appeared on 92 per cent of the ballots. Winston appeared on 87 per cent this year. There was no doubting his on-the-field credentials. Winston is on pace (190.1) to break Russell Wilsons record for best passer efficiency rating in a season and set FBS freshman records for yards passing (3,820) and touchdown passes (38). Florida States average margin of victory is 42 points, and Winston has spent most of the Seminoles fourth quarters resting. The investigation has taken some of the shine off Winstons Heisman coronation, at least for some. But if the question is simply who was college footballs best player in 2013, Famous Jameis was the clear answer. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . -- After a year spent travelling the world, Brooks Koepka suddenly is in a position to play a lot more golf at home. Sale Football Jerseys Throwback . At least 90 players who had college eligibility remaining are expected to enter the draft, shattering last years record number of 73. "Its a humongous number, so the first reaction is it makes you step back a little bit," said NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ . -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed Jerome Simpson, the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver recently convicted on a felony drug charge.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With a chance for an increased role in the Giants running game, Rashad Jennings made a strong first impression on Saturday night. Jennings ran 73 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and Curtis Painters scoring pass with 2:50 left gave the Giants a 20-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game. "It feels good to get out there and jell with the offence," Jennings said. "Find a big hole like that and make a big play." Howard Jones had given the Steelers a 16-13 lead when he picked up backup quarterback Ryan Nassibs fumble and went 28 yards for a touchdown with 10:16 to go. But Painter led a 12-play, 80-yard drive and threw a 3-yard TD pass to Corey Washington for the victory. Eli Manning played four series and was 0 for 2 for the Giants. Manning said the offence under new co-ordinator Ben McAdoo is a work in progress. "I thought the running game was good," Manning said. "Whenever you have a running back break a long one, thats a great thing to have to be able to hit that big play. "I feel confident in the offence, feel confident in our ability." The Giants opened the preseason last week with a 17-13 victory over Buffalo in the Hall of Fame game. The Giants focused on their running game after a week in which David Wilson was forced to retire because of a neck injury. Peyton Hillis missed the game because of an ankle injury. Jennings, who signed a four-year, $10 million deal with the Giants in March, finished with 85 yards to lead the team. Ben Roethlisberger played only one series for the Steelers (0-1). He was 1 for 2, with the completion a 46-yarder to rookie third-round pick Dri Archer to the Giants 14. Running back LeVeon Bell started the drive with gains of 9 and 8 yards. The seven-play, 70-yard drive ended with the first of Shaun Suishams three field goals, a 26-yarder for a 3-0 lead. "I thought it was a good, solid first series," Roethlisberger said. "Obviously, it helped that we had a huge play to Dri. But we moved the ball down the field and got points on the board." Jennings long toouchdown run came on the next play from scrimmage. Discount Football Jerseys Throwback. "It was a well-executed play," Jennings said. "Eli made sure we were in the right play, it was a hat on a hat, a gaping hole in the offensive line." "One-on-one battles in the open field, youve got to win those. Its what I did and the rest was just a race." Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was disappointed with his teams defence on that score. "We gave up a long run and that cant happen," he said. "Youre going to have guys break out and get 8 or get 12 yards, but not 78. It was an integrity issue. When those things happen, you have to be able to minimize the explosion." Early in the second quarter, the Giants took advantage of a 21-yard punt by Brad Wing and started their drive at the Steelers 35. Josh Brown made a 45-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead. Bruce Gradkowski took over for Roethlisberger and was 8 for 12 for 66 yards. Nassib replaced Manning in the second quarter. On his second drive, he completed his first five passes, including a 12-yarder to Rueben Randle. Brandon McManus 46-yard field goal with 38 seconds left in the first half gave the Giants a 13-3 lead. Charles James fumbled a punt with 7:37 left in the third and Jones recovered at the Giants 21. The Giants defence held and Suisham made a 38-yard field goal to make it 13-6. Suisham added a 32-yarder 59 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it 13-9. NOTES: Washington also caught a TD pass last week against the Bills. ... Steelers second-year linebacker Jarvis Jones had a sack of Manning late in the first quarter. ... First-round pick WR Odell Beckham Jr. missed the game because a hamstring injury. Also out for the Giants: WR Trindon Holliday (hamstring), OT Will Beatty and DT Mike Patterson (shoulder). ... Missing the game for the Steelers: LB Ryan Shazier, TE Michael Palmer, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and NT Steve McLendon. ... The Giants next preseason game is next Saturday at the Colts, who lost to the Jets on Thursday. The Steelers will host the Bills in their preseason home opener next Saturday. ' ' '