Newton wins in a landslide

The announcement was a formality last night, as Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was named the winner of the 2010 Heisman Trophy.

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Was it close? No way. Newton won by 1,184 points (2,263 to 1,079), which would have come close to the largest Heisman victory of all time — 1968, when Southern Cal running back O.J. Simpson beat Purdue’s LeRoy Keyes by 1,750 points — if all 886 voters had included Newton on their ballots. But in a form of protest for allegations surrounding Newton’s recruitment, 105 ballots did not include Newton’s name.

Of the votes who did include Newton on their ballots, he was chosen by 93 percent (729), and led in each of the six voting regions.

The only drama involved second place, which Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck took over Boise State’s Kellen Moore. None of the four finalists — Newton, Luck, Moore, and Oregon running back LaMichael James — is a senior, and three of the four are from the West.

The underlying theme, of course, is whether Newton, who will lead the Tigers into the BCS title game against fellow undefeated Oregon Jan. 10, will still be the Heisman winner next month or next year, because of allegations swirling around his father Cecil’s possible involvement in a pay-for-play scheme.

That story — which prompted Cecil Newton to avoid attending last night’s ceremony in New York — will continue to have legs until there is a resolution. Although the NCAA cleared Cam Newton of any wrongdoing, the case is not closed.

Cam Newton said he understood his father’s absence. “It hurts me a lot,’’ he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal.’’

Newton’s credentials on the field were indisputable. He led the Southeastern Conference in rushing, led the nation in passer ranking, and ran and passed for 3,998 yards and 49 touchdowns.

What has not been determined is what happens if evidence is uncovered directly linking Newton with any violations, which would not only affect his eligibility, but taint any awards he received.

A precedent was established when former USC tailback Reggie Bush gave back his 2005 Heisman Trophy this past September after the NCAA found that he had accepted gifts and cash from boosters. That convinced some voters to leave Newton off their ballots, citing part of the Heisman Trust’s mission, which includes the word “integrity.’’

The chances of a resolution before Jan. 10 seem remote, and it is almost certain that Newton will move on to NFL next season.

In a taped interview with ESPN on Thursday, Newton defended himself. “I’m a person that did nothing wrong,’’ he said. “Everything I did at this university I did it the right way.’’

And last night, after being named the 76th winner of the Heisman, an emotional Newton thanked his parents and searched for words to describe his feelings.

“It’s a dream come true for me,’’ he said. “It’s something that every child that plays the sport of football has dreamed of. I’m living testimony that anything is possible.’’