NIU’s Jordan Lynch on Heisman ceremony: ‘I’m going there to win’

Jordan Lynch is going to New York.

The Northern Illinois quarterback was named one of six finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday evening, joining Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, Auburn running back Tre Mason, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and Boston College running back Andre Williams.

Lynch finished the season with 1,881 rushing yards, the second-highest total in the entire country. He ranked second in the country with 4,557 and tied for fourth in the country in scoring with 138 total points on the season.

Though Lynch's candidacy took a hit when previously undefeated NIU fell in last week's MAC Championship Game to Bowling Green, his season was among the elite in college football. Still, he's not expected to win the award, with one Las Vegas oddsmaker giving Winston 1/150 odds to finish first.

This is the second straight season in which Lynch will finish in at least the top seven in voting after finishing seventh a season ago. Lynch will also be the second Huskie to finish in the top six in Heisman balloting. Running back LeShon Johnson finished sixth in 1993.

Lynch and the Huskies will wrap up their season in the Poinsettia Bowl against Utah State.

-- Vinnie Duber, CSNChicago.com