The Auburn Tigers may be on their way to Pasadena, Calif., but junior running back Tre Mason would like to go on another cross-country trip before the BCS National Championship Game.
After a 304-yard MVP performance against the conference's second best rushing defense in the SEC Championship Game, Mason has his eyes on New York City and an invitation to the Heisman Trophy Presentation.
"This is a personal goal of mine," Mason said after Auburn's 59-42 title-clinching victory against Missouri. "Everyone has goals of their own. It was always a dream, you know, growing up, wanting to win the Heisman."
Mason celebrated a first-half touchdown, one of four on the day, by striking the famous Heisman pose in the end zone. His 304-yard total was a large chunk of Auburn's 545 rushing yards against a Missouri defense that entered the game allowing an average of 113 yards on the ground.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he believed his star running back belongs in the race for college football's most prestigious individual award.
"You're looking at one of the top running backs in college football, and he proved it again today," Malzahn said. "So, usually, the best players on the best teams have a chance at it, and you're looking at one of those guys right here."
Mason's output on the ground was almost half of Auburn's 677 yards of total offense, which was the most against an SEC opponent and the fourth-most in school history. The Tigers had 712 yards at homecoming against Western Carolina -- and they were fewer than 50 yards shy of that season-high on their biggest stage of the season.
"Our offense is very versatile," Mason said. "There's so many different ways we can get players the ball... (Malzahn) finds us ways to get us the ball."
And Mason got the ball on Auburn's final drive. After the Auburn defense stopped Missouri on downs for the second straight time, the Palm Beach, Fla., native got the carries he needed to eclipse the 300-yard mark.
"Let's seal the deal," Mason said. "The game's not over, but we can find a way to make it be over. Put the nail in the coffin."
Mason did just that, and he celebrated the conference championship with his offensive linemen moments later.
"They work their tails off every day," Mason said. "Those guys open up some of the biggest holes I've ever seen and I've ever ran through. This is a blessing to have those guys in front of me and around me--and to have a coach like Coach Malzahn."
Auburn finished their final three games of the regular season -- the traditional "Amen Corner" stretch -- with a combined total of 1,214 rushing yards.
After the game, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel struggled to find an answer when asked how a team can stop Auburn's rushing attack.
"Everybody has problems with it," Pinkel said. "You know what? I'm the wrong person to ask, because I'd have stopped it if I could have."
Mason's performance set numerous individual records and helped Auburn break team records.
His 46 carries were most any Auburn player has ever had in a single game. He now has 22 rushing touchdowns this season, breaking Cam Newton's mark of 20 in the 2010 BCS National Championship season.
When asked what he thought about Mason surpassing Auburn legends Jackson and Newton, Malzahn gave high praise to his SEC Championship Game MVP.
"I'd say he's one of the better players to ever wear an Auburn helmet," Malzahn said.
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