You believe it now, America?

Do you finally believe this country’s best college football player is the one who lost the Heisman Trophy?

Do you finally believe this country’s most breathtaking college football player is the one with an ordinary build, from a brainy school, with a teenage slouch and a child-like smile?

While he was sprinting, you were sleeping. While he was making history in Palo Alto, you were paying attention to Tuscaloosa. While he was breaking records, you were buying into stereotypes.


But surely now you see, you must see, after 102-year-old Granddaddy jumped out of his chair Friday afternoon, threw open the doors to his sun-kissed Pasadena bungalow, and introduced him.

America, the Rose Bowl would like you to meet Christian McCaffrey.

Yeah, that was him, No. 5, green grass stains streaking down the side of his white uniform, black headband bunched on his brown hair, Rose Bowl history in his shoes.

Yep, that was the Stanford running back who juked and zagged and darted around television screens like a distressed bug in leading the Cardinal to a dominating 45-16 win over alleged Big Ten power Iowa in the Rose Bowl.


“Like somebody you create in a video game,” Cardinal receiver Francis Owusu said.

McCaffrey scored the game’s first touchdown by running from the Arroyo Seco to Alhambra in the game’s first 15 seconds. He scored Stanford’s fourth touchdown on a swirling punt return that left black-shirted Iowa players scattered across the grass like skid marks.

He ran, he caught, here one minute, gone the next, 172 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards, and the only place he finally stopped was the Rose Bowl record books. His name will remain etched there for the immediate future as his 368 all-purpose yards are the most in Rose Bowl history. He’s also the only player in this game to have more than 100 yards running and receiving.

None of those marks were perhaps as impressive as his countless sideline hugs in the game’s roaring waning moments, the 19-year-old sophomore showing uncommon gratitude to everyone from sweaty starter to clean-uniformed subs to dudes on crutches. McCaffrey embraced teammates, coaches, ballboys, administrators, the impact player showing his true self not in his stardom, but in reveling in being just one of the gang.


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Watching the scene was his father, Ed McCaffrey, a former Super Bowl champion receiver who smiled with pride.

“He signed up for football just to do something with his friends and be part of something bigger than himself,” Ed said. “For him, today is about winning the game and having fun.”

1 / 47 Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard loses his helmet as he’s sacked by Stanford linebacker Peter Kalambayi in the second quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 47 Stanford Coach David Shaw hoists the Rose Bowl trophy surrounded by his family after leading the Cardinal to a 45-16 victory over Iowa. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 47 Stanford Coach David Shaw is doused after the Cardinal scored its sixth touchdown in a 45-16 victory over Iowa. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 47 Stanford players celebrate after their 45-16 victory over Iowa in the 102nd Rose Bowl game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 47 Cardinal offensive tackle A.T. Hall celebrates with fans following a 45-16 vicotry over Iowa in the 102nd Rose Bowl game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 47 Cardinal cornerback Ronnie Harris dances with the Stanford band leader and mascot after the Rose Bowl victory. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 47 Stanford Coach David Shaw, center, and star running back Christian McCaffrey (5) will be featured Friday night in one of the first big games of the season. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 47 Hawkeyes running back Akrum Wadley heads to the end zone on a 31-yard pass play against the Cardinal in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 47 Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard is sacked by a pair of Stanford defenders in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 47 Hawkeyes linebacker Josey Jewel intercepts a deflected pass by Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 47 Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan throws a quick pass to running back Christian McCaffrey in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 47 Iowa wide receiver Matt VandeBerg hauls in a 36-yard touchdown pass against Stanford in the fourth quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 47 Iowa tight end Henry Krieger Coble is stopped for a short gain by Stanford defenders in the third quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 47 Stanford linebacker Sam Shober tackles Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard by the helmet, leading to a penalty late in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 47 Cardinal running back Remound Wright is stopped short of a first down by Miles Taylor and his Hawkeyes teammates in the third quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 47 Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan is tripped by Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King after a nine-yard run in the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 47 Iowa defensive back Desmond King breaks up a pass intended for Stanford receiver Devon Cajuste during second half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 47 Cardinal running back Christian McCaffery gets past Hawkeyes defensive back Greg Mabin on 30-yard run in the third quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 47 Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard tries to avoid the Stanford pash rush in the third quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 47 Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey heads toward the end zone on a 63-yard punt return against the Hawkeyes in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 47 Stanford cornerback Quenton Meeks bats down a pass by Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard (16), who is leveled on the play in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 47 Cardinal linebacker Kevin Palma sacks Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 47 Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan fakes a fumble as running back Christian McCaffrey pretends to try to recover the ball during a touchdown pass play against Iowa in the second quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 47 Stanford wide receiver Michael Rector, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a 31-yard pass play, which began with a fake fumble by quarterback Kevin Hogan, against Iowa in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 47 Stanford receiver Devon Cajuste can’t make a catch as he’s defended by Iowa defensive back Joshua Jackson in the first half. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 47 Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels is stopped at the line of scrimmage by the Cardinal defense in the first quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 47 Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard is driven out of bounds by Stanford defensive backs Quenton Meeks and Alijah Holder in the first quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 47 Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey slips past Iowa defenders during a run in the first quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 47 After about a season and a half of playing inside for the Packers, Clay Matthews will move to his more natural position of edge rusher. That left a hole in the middle, which the Packers filled in the fourth round with Stanford’s Blake Martinez. Martinez is a physical presence who can stop the run and drop back into pass coverage. He’ll have to challenge Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan for a starting job, but he could make an impact early. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 47 Iowa running back LeShun Daniels has no room to run against Stanford in the second quarter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 47 Stanford cornerback Quenton Meeks intercepts a pass intended for Iowa receiver Matt VandeBerg late in the first quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 47 Stanford cornerback Quenton Meeks outruns Iowa players down the sideline during a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 47 Cardinal cornerback Quenton Meeks celebrates as he nears the goal line after returning an interception 66 yards for a score against Iowa late in the first quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 47 Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan scores on an eight-yard run against Iowa in the first quarter to give the Cardinal a 14-0 lead. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 47 Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey outruns the Iowa defense on the first play from scrimmage for a 75-yard touchdown on a pass play during the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 47 Cardinal running back Christian McCaffery beats Iowa defensive back Desmond King to the goal line to finish off a 75-yard touchdown pass play. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 47 Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates with teammate Devon Cajuste after scoring against the Hawkeyes on the first play from scrimmage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 47 Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 75-yard pass reception on the first play from scrimmage against Iowa. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 47 Stanford players raise their helmets as a B-2 bomber flies overhead during a pregame ceremony at the Rose Bowl. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 47 Stanford players head to the field for warmups before playing Iowa in the Rose Bowl game. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 47 Iowa fans arrive early at their end-zone seats before the Hawkeyes play the Stanford Cardinal in the Rose Bowl game. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 47 The Stanford mascot prepares for the 102nd Rose Bowl game against Iowa. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 47 Fans raise their arms on their way through security as they arrive at the Rose Bowl for the game between Stanford and Iowa. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 47 A young Hawkeye fan checks out a California Highway Patrol officer while entering the Rose Bowl for the game between Iowa and Stanford. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 47 Hawkeyes fan Jason Jerrel is painted for the occasion as he arrives at the Rose Bowl for the game against the Cardinal. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 47 A member of the Stanford marching band shows his spirit before the Rose Bowl game against Iowa. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 47 Iowa fans walk past a California Highway Patrol officer as they enter the Rose Bowl. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)


Sure enough, only one postgame question stumped the younger McCaffrey, and it was about his individual numbers. When asked if this was his best game, McCaffrey said, “I don’t know how to answer that.’'

He then paused and added, “It’s so fun when a team can come together and gel. … Just love playing with these guys.”

Yet even with all of his teammate love, McCaffrey will be most celebrated for his numbers, and so far the one that history will most remember is an unsettling No. 2.

McCaffrey finished second in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting to Alabama running back Derrick Henry even though, at the time of the voting, McCaffrey had already set the NCAA season record for all-purpose yards.


“It’s criminal that he did not win the Heisman, it’s criminal,” Stanford guard Joshua Garnett said.

The outcome was crazy, it was wrong, and it was directly tied to the Pac-12’s weak position with its television partners, as seven of Stanford’s 13 games before Friday were played at 10 p.m. or later on the East Coast and in the South, where huge Heisman voting blocs reside.

Believe it or not, the Rose Bowl was the first chance for many folks to see a star that Pac-12 followers have been raving about all season. If viewers still didn’t believe McCaffrey deserved the Heisman, the Rose Bowl was filled with people who were happy to remind him.

“Heis-man, Heis-man,” chanted the Stanford cheering section early in the game.


“Heis-man, Heis-man,” chanted the fan who interrupted McCaffrey’s postgame TV interview

“Heis-man, Heis-man,” chanted McCaffrey’s own teammates during the postgame award ceremony, so loud that it drowned out his remarks.

Later, however, the words of his coach were unmistakable.

“I think he was the best player in America before this game, so I think it’s just the icing on the cake for us,” David Shaw said. “I do think it’s a shame that a lot of people didn’t get a chance to see him during the course of the year. Apparently the games were too late.’'


McCaffrey,whom Southland fans can appreciate after watching him torch UCLA and USC this season for a total of 1,079 all-purpose yards — that is not a misprint — went to work early Friday.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, McCaffrey streaked across the field on a slant pattern, caught a pass from Kevin Hogan around the 35-yard line, and literally ran away from the entire Iowa defense for a 75-yard touchdown pass.

Eleven seconds gone, the Heisman debate was over, and Iowa was reeling.

“He’s a great running back, everybody saw that today and everybody’s seen it all season long,” Iowa safety Jordan Lomax said


On Stanford’s second possession, McCaffrey made more magic. He ran up the middle for five yards, right for 22 yards, left for 19 yards, caught a screen pass that he somehow turned into a dozen yards, ran a direct snap for seven yards, then watched Hogan finish the push with an eight-yard touchdown run.

Dizzy yet? Less than four minutes into the game, McCaffrey was already the leader for Heisman Trophy voting for next year and, oh yeah, Iowa was done.

“He makes people fall,” Hogan said.

The kid wasn’t finished. At the start of the second quarter, McCaffrey caught a punt and juked about half of the population of Iowa City — including leaving Iowa’s Josey Jewell in a heap at midfield — en route to a 63-yard touchdown return.


“He’s a guy who can move around you,” Jewell said later, shaking his head.

By now, most folks were thinking that nothing could stop this kid, but it turns out, those folks were wrong. On Stanford’s next possession, McCaffrey danced 73 yards on yet another touchdown run, but it was nullified because of a needless holding call on Stanford’s Devon Cajuste. .

Yet McCaffrey kept falling forward, literally, showing the true meaning of the phrase “all-purpose,” by contributing to the Cardinals’ fifth touchdown by playing dead on the fake-fumble-turned-into-a-touchdown-pass.

Now, one more time, about the lost Heisman trophy…


“I play for my teammates, I play for God and my family,” McCaffrey said. “At the end of the day, whether I win anything or don’t, that’s the reason why I play and that keeps me motivated.”

You hear that, America? He doesn’t really care if you’ve been watching. But now you have. And now you know.

bill.plaschke@latimes.com

Twitter: @billplaschke


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