COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES

Smith, Quinn, McFadden are finalists for Heisman Trophy

December 07, 2006|From the Associated Press

Ohio State's Troy Smith and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn were selected as finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Wednesday, along with Arkansas running back Darren McFadden.

Smith is the heavy favorite to win the award Saturday night in New York. The senior quarterback entered the season with plenty of Heisman hype and then backed it up with brilliant play for the unbeaten Buckeyes.

Smith is fourth in the nation in passer rating (167.9) and has thrown for 2,507 yards and 30 touchdowns with only five interceptions.

Quinn, a senior quarterback, was fourth in Heisman voting last season and has thrown 35 touchdown passes in 2006. McFadden, a sophomore, rushed for 1,558 yards and led Arkansas to the Southeastern Conference title game.

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North Carolina State appears ready to hire Boston College's Tom O'Brien as its coach, according to multiple reports.

The reports were based on unidentified sources, though San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers -- a four-year starter at the school -- told a newspaper Wednesday that O'Brien was the choice to replace fired coach Chuck Amato.

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Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley won the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation's top college lineman or linebacker.

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