Might want to look at what was done to Johnny Bright, one of the GREATEST players ever to come out of Indiana. He was basically massacred in game. No penalties ever called.
I wasn't born in the 1950's. But as an avid fan of football, I've made myself aware of many of the historical slights that have occurred within that sport (and others).
When on to become a CFL legend and is in their HOF.
BOTH, Bo and Herschel had much better seasons the years "before" they won the Heisman. At that point it was basically a career award, not a season-season award.