Former NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish’s historic performance last season was one that people would not soon forget. However, quarterback Jordan Lynch is doing his best to wipe Harnish’s season from everyone’s memory, putting up impressive numbers of his own.

In fact, Lynch is putting up record-breaking numbers that have people deeming him a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Through nine games, Lynch and Harnish have similar numbers through the air as Lynch has 1,984 yards compared to Harnish’s 1,962. However, Harnish had more passing touchdowns with 18 compared to Lynch’s 17.

The phase of the game where Lynch has shined has separated himself has been on the ground, as Lynch is the No. 2 leading rusher in the nation with 1,185 yards.

In total offense, Lynch leads the nation with 3,169 total yards. Quarterback Matt Scott from Arizona is next in total yards with 3,089 yards.

Lynch has managed to do this by being nothing but consistent, as he broke the NCAA record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback with seven. He has also tied former running back Garrett Wolfe for the NIU record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games in a season.

As far as touchdowns go, Lynch has recorded 15 on the ground and 17 through the air. He has combined for 32 total touchdowns which is No. 1 in the nation.

With 32 total touchdowns, Lynch finds himself just seven touchdowns behind Harnish’s single season record of 39 total touchdowns.

With numbers like these, and a possibility of five games remaining, Lynch has put himself in a good position to break numerous offensive records.

Based on all these outstanding numbers, I can’t see why Lynch is not a strong candidate to win the Heisman. I realize NIU does not play a difficult schedule and they are in the MAC but c’mon.

Lynch has put up better numbers than any other quarterback that is in the talks for the Heisman. Coach Dave Doeren also believes that Lynch deserves to be in the talks.

“He’s playing smart,” Doeren said in a news conference. “To win that award, you’ve got to play that way. I think he’s deserving of the conversations, and he’s got three more weeks of the regular season. I think he’s obviously kind of on the fringe. If he can do what he needs to do this week, the next week, and the week after, can [he] get there?

“He deserves to be if he does what he has to do. I always feel that the guys that are in that play their best football in November. You can lose that award pretty easy in the last month. I think that’s something he’s got to continue to do what he’s doing, not any more, not any less.”