Trailing midway through the fourth quarter and Blinn's hopes of a national championship slipping away, Newton converted on several key third downs with scrambles of 30 yards and 24 yards. That set up another Hayes touchdown run, bringing Blinn to within two points at 26-24.
Blinn would eventually win in the closing seconds of the game when Chad Froechtenicht returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown with only 15.3 seconds remaining in the game, but there's no question Blinn would not have been in that position if it wasn't for Newton's big plays in the clutch.
"We knew coming into this game, the scheme was they try to make enough pressure to effect the quarterback's play," Newton said. "Knowing that, they didn't have a quarterback spy, and seeing that, I took that as an advantage to make a play for myself and my team.
"The halftime speech with coach (Brad) Franchione made it very evident that we needed to go out and play hard-nosed Buccaneer football that we knew we're capable of playing. Cutting that switch on in the second half really made a big difference."
For Newton the juco championship was just as sweet as the one he captured while he was at Florida.
"It might not top winning a title at Florida," Newton said. "Having a part and having a hand in winning a national championship it's way different than sitting on the sideline and winning a national championship."
That's where Newton's story takes another twist.
Most assumed Newton would announce his decision on Dec. 15, just one day before mid-term junior college prospects can sign their national letters-of-intent. But following Sunday's game, Newton dropped a recruiting bombshell by saying he probably is going to wait until after the 16th to make his decision.
"I'm taking my visit to Oklahoma on the 11th, and I plan to visit Kansas State, Auburn and North Carolina," said Newton, who already has taken an official visit to Mississippi State. "I don't have dates for those yet. Really, I don't think I'm going to be able to commit on the signing day, the 16th. So I'm going to push that back. This decision right here, it's like my life. This is my whole career, and I can't make a mistake with this one.
"As of right now, I don't think I am (going to sign on the 16th). I'm going to try and take as many visits. I know it's going to be hard, but where there's a will, there's a way. I can't make any mistakes this time."
Newton said the decision to move his announcement back came last week during a conversation with his father, and though he has no additional visit dates in mind, would like to see the campus of each school on his final list in person before announcing a final decision. It's a decision that will come down to opportunity; both to start and to win, and at least for now, everything remains in limbo.
There's been much speculation that Mississippi State - where he visited for the Egg Bowl - is the clear-cut leader. A day can't pass without a post on the Bulldog message boards claiming that Newton has committed, and even the announcer broadcasting Sunday's game said Newton was MSU bound. But Newton said that talk is wrong at this point.
"I won't say that's true," Newton said when asked if MSU was the leader. "I could say I had an excellent time in Starkville, Miss. But have they stood out? They stood out at one point, but as of right now everybody is on the same playing level now.
"I say it's Oklahoma, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Auburn and Kansas State. I can't even imagine how tough this is. I can't make any mistakes with this."
Mississippi State and Kansas State are two schools that have been a constant on his list, and both coaches from the Bulldogs and Wildcats were on hand at Sunday's game to make their presence known. Both schools visited with Newton and his family following the game. But where did Oklahoma, Auburn and North Carolina come from? None of those schools have been on his list in previous updates.
"Honestly, I don't even know where they came from," Newton said. "Coach (Josh) Heupel has been in contact with me for the last couple of months and whatnot. Now they've set up a visit, so I'm going to go down there and see what happens.
"The same can be said about Auburn and North Carolina. They've also made a push at me the past few months and weeks. I'd like to investigate and see more what they have to offer as far as playing time, academics and the whole setting."
"I have to do what's best for me," Newton said. "I'm not going to a situation where they're already stacked at the quarterback position. I want to go to a school where I have the capability of playing right away and where I'm going to be the man. I have to play right now. There's no ifs ands or buts about it."
