LSU's Peterson misses out...Wisconsin’s Watt wins Lott Trophy

J.J. Watt of Wisconsin has won the Lott Trophy. Watt received the award named for Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott on Sunday night at the Pacific Club. It honors on-field performance and personal character among defensive players.

Watt led the Rose Bowl-bound Badgers with 21 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries and seven sacks this season. He also forced three fumbles, recovered two, had an interception and blocked three kicks. He is the first Wisconsin player to win the award. The other finalists were Sam Acho of Texas, Casey Matthews of Oregon and Patrick Peterson of LSU.

Auburn's Malzahn officially out of the running for Vandy job

The Washington Post reported Sunday evening that Gus Malzahn had accepted Vanderbilt’s offer to become their next head coach. Subsequently, AuburnSports.com reported that was not the case and Malzahn had either turned down the job or would be turning the job down in short order. Multiple reports began surfacing Monday afternoon confirming that website’s original report.

Now the official word has come down from on high; Malzahn is staying at Auburn. Auburn spokesman Kirk Sampson told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that Malzahn has decided to remain on Gene Chizik‘s staff as offensive coordinator. Subsequent to that report, the university released a statement confirming that Malzahn is the recipient of a contract extension and a raise.

"Gus Malzahn has played a large role in the success of our football program the last two years and we’re very pleased to be able to give him a raise and extend his contract," Chizik said in a statement. "In my opinion we have the best staff in the country, and while we want our coaches to strive to become head coaches, retaining them as long as we can is important to me and the entire Auburn family. Gus is a very bright and talented coach and we are looking forward to beginning preparation for the BCS National Championship. I’m very appreciative of Coach Chizik and the entire administration for their support," Malzahn said. "My family and I love Auburn and right now my main focus is helping Auburn win a national championship."

LSU's Patrick Peterson goes for the Hat Trick in awards

Already the recipient of the Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson seeks to add another honor to his impressive collection when he and three other finalists gather for the 2010 Ronnie Lott IMPACT Trophy presentation on Sunday night at the Pacific Club. The show will be televised live at 10 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Net affiliates.

The Lott Trophy, named in honor of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award equally recognizes the personal character of the winning player as well as his athletic excellence.

Auburn’s Malzahn the new Vandy coach

According to the Washington Post, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has accepted Vanderbilt’s offer to be their next head coach.

It was reported last week that Vandy had a contract on the table for Malzahn that would pay the coordinator in the neighborhood of $3 million annually. There’s no word yet on whether those financial particulars are accurate, and there has not been any confirmation from Auburn on Malzahn heading to the Commodores.

Auburn’s Newton wins Heisman in landslide

Newton brushed off an investigation that determined his father violated NCAA rules as he did so many tacklers this season and captured the Heisman in a landslide vote. Although, that didn’t mean it was all smiles, there was a touch of sadness, because his father was not there. "I’d be sitting up here lying to you if I didn’t say it hurt," Newton said during the ESPN telecast before the winner was announced. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I love my father. He gave me words of encouragement before I came up here. I know he’s with me in spirit." The third player from Auburn to win the Heisman, Newton received 729 first-place votes and outpointed runner-up Andrew Luck of Stanford by 1,184 points.

"Honestly, it’s a dream come true for me, something every child has a dream about, that plays the sport of football, and I’m living testimony that anything is possible," Newton said.

Urban Meyer left Head Coaching job due to health issues

The person with knowledge of Meyer's health said the coach can resolve his chest pain with "constant monitoring," which he already has started doing. Meyer hasn't ruled out coaching again. His future likely will be tied to his health. Meyer was diagnosed with esophageal spasms in January and began taking medicine to treat them.

The person with knowledge of Meyer's health said the spasms have been under control, but other symptoms have lingered. Those prompted Meyer to talk with doctors and family members, and then he decided that continuing to coach at his current pace would be too risky.

Meyer will coach his final game in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Penn State, but he intends to remain in Gainesville and continue to work in the athletic department.

Muschamp to be named new Gator head coach

Just as the Heisman ceremony was beginning, and as Auburn’s Cam Newton was on the verge of becoming the school’s third winner in a runaway, there was a stunner developing in Gainesville.

According to the Florida Times-Union and the Associated Press, and Tim Tebow as well , Florida has chosen Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as the Gators’ next head coach. An announcement from the school is expected later today.

It’s being reported that athletic director Jeremy Foley met with Muschamp in Austin yesterday and offered the coordinator the job, although there’s been no official confirmation from the school on the hire.

Mississippi State loses coach

Mississippi State receivers coach/passing game coordinator Mark Hudspeth accepted an offer Friday to become the 25th head coach in the history of Ragin' Cajun football, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Advertiser. The source requested anonymity because the university wants to officially introduce Hudspeth, a native of Louisville, Miss., during a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday in the Cajundome's Ballroom. Hudspeth, 42, did not respond to multiple messages left on his cell phone Friday by The Daily Advertiser. The Delta State graduate has spent the past two years at Mississippi State after going 66-21 as the head coach for NCAA Division II power North Alabama from 2002-08. In 2000 he served as Delta State's offensive coordinator when the Statesmen won the D-II national championship.

Vandy reportedly ready to throw serious money at Malzahn

According to The Tennessean, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is "thought to have received" an offer in the neighborhood of $3 million annually to take over the reins of the Commodores. Not only would that number more than double what his predecessor was pulling in, it would also put him inside the top ten of the highest paid coaches in college football, in his first collegiate job at the collegiate level.

MSU's Mullen dodges rumors about new Head Coaching job

With two major coaching jobs open at Florida and Miami and Mullen’s name attached to both, his presence in Starkville has been closely monitored. "I don’t worry about it," Mullen said. "I don’t live in a speculation world. We live in a real world. That’s all we deal with." Mullen has become a hot name in coaching circles after leading MSU to a bowl game in just his second season with the program. The 21st-ranked Bulldogs (8-4) will face Michigan (7-5) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla. Mullen’s ties to the Gators are obvious: He was Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2008, which coincides with Meyer’s most productive four seasons, including two national championships. The two have remained friends, though Mullen says he hasn’t talked to Meyer since he abruptly resigned on Wednesday. Miami would be a less obvious choice, though Mullen’s familiarity with the state would likely be a plus. Meanwhile, Mississippi State athletics director Scott Stricklin has said a new contract is in the works for Mullen, who signed a four-year contract worth $1.2 million per year when he was hired in 2008. Mullen said he’s focused solely on the football field.

So Easy...a Caveman Can Do It...Cammy for Heisman

Auburn's Cam Newton, is in the running for the Heisman, with his super-human season to back him. His running, throwing, receiving, blocking, the only over 20 passing and 20 running TDs, the 49 TDs, the yardage, did we leave anything out? Whew! Well, this is one part of the game that he can walk away winning, the Heisman. It's so easy to pick the finalist...a 'Caveman Can Do It'. The SEC Rocks!

Florida Gator's Black named to 2010 SEC Football Community Service Team

Florida senior Ahmad Black was named to the 2010 SEC Football Community Service Team announced on Friday. The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 20 league-sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his community in superior service efforts. Black is a four-year member of UF's Goodwill Gators and has visited area hospitals, schools and youth academies as well as hosted tours for children on campus. He has also been involved with Big Brothers and participated in the Student Town Hall Meeting with Urban Meyer prior to the start of the 2010 football season. He is a three-time participant of the Gator Charity Challenge, a strongman competition to raise pledges and awareness for local charities. He has also worked with the African-American Accountability of Alachua task force and he is active in his hometown community of Lakeland.

The rest of the 2010 SEC Football Community Service Team follows:

Alabama - Greg McElroy, Sr., QB, Arkansas - DJ Williams, Sr., TE, Auburn - Zach Clayton, Sr., Georgia - Kris Durham, Sr., Kentucky - Marcus Davis, Sr., LSU - Drake Nevis, Sr., DT, Ole Miss - Jerrell Powe, Sr., DT, Mississippi State - Derek Sherrod, Sr., OL, South Carolina - Garrett Chisholm, Sr., OT, Tennessee - Daniel Lincoln, Sr., PK, Vanderbilt - John Stokes, Sr., LB

UK quarterback Hartline arrested

Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline has pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication charges after being arrested early Friday morning. Attorney Jim Lowry submitted a not guilty plea on behalf of Hartline and Ashley Carnes in Fayette County District Court on Friday afternoon.

The two were arrested outside of a residence on Friday morning following an argument with another woman, Samantha Sheeran. A pretrial court date has been set for Jan. 24. Carnes, 20, was also charged with disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication as well as being 18 to 20 years old and using or attempting to use false identification to obtain alcohol. Sheeran told police she was assaulted by both Hartline and Carnes, a Kentucky cheerleader. Lexington police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said police are unlikely to pursue the assault claim unless Sheeran files a complaint or decides to press charges. The police report said there was no visible injury to Sheeran. Kentucky spokesman Tony Neely said coach Joker Phillips is aware of the situation and will make a comment "at the appropriate time." The Wildcats (6-6) return to practice Saturday in preparation for the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., on Jan. 8 against Pittsburgh.

Kentucky’s WR Cobb among Hornung Award finalists

Kentucky wide receiver Randall Cobb, Stanford fullback/linebacker Owen Marecic and TCU wide receiver Jeremy Kerley are finalists for the inaugural Paul Hornung Award. Cobb had more than 1,500 yards of total offense and 16 touchdowns for the Wildcats at wide receiver and quarterback.

Marecic averaged 110 plays a game going both ways for the Cardinal. He had 45 tackles at linebacker and rushed for 42 yards and four touchdowns at fullback. Kerley led the Mountain West Conference averaging 123 all-purpose yards and tied a school record with 10 touchdown receptions. Paul Hornung was a Heisman Trophy winner for Notre Dame and Green Bay star. The award is given to the most versatile player in college football.

Georgia Bulldogs, Houston, Green, named 2nd team Walter Camp

Georgia juniors Justin Houston and A.J. Green were both named Walter Camp Football Foundation Second Team All-Americans, according to an announcement Thursday night.
The Bulldogs pair was two of seven players from the Southeastern Conference named to the Second Team. Five SEC players were picked to be on the First Team.
Houston, a 6-3, 258-pound outside linebacker from Statesboro, finished as the SEC regular season leader in sacks with 10.0 and is second in the league in tackles for loss (18.5). He has the most sacks and tackles for loss of any active SEC player and has had at least one tackle for loss in all 12 games this year.
Against Georgia Tech, Houston exploded for seven tackles, including one tackle for loss, returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown and preserved the win with an interception late in the fourth quarter.
Houston was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also an All-SEC First Team selection by the Associated Press and the SEC Coaches.
In only eight games, Green, a 6-4, 212-pound flanker from Summerville, S.C., snagged 49 passes for 771 yards (96.4 avg./game) and nine touchdowns. Tallying three 100-yard games in 2010, Green is second in UGA history with 23 touchdown catches (nine in 2010) and is currently third in the Georgia record books with 2,542 yards receiving.
Thanks in part to Green’s return to the lineup, the Bulldogs have scored more than 30 points in a record-setting seven consecutive contests, including five SEC games.

Auburn's Zach Clayton named to SEC Football Community Service Team

Auburn senior defensive tackle Zach Clayton has been named to the Southeastern Conference's 16th Football Community Service Team, recognizing the superior community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, the league office announced Friday. The Community Service Team consists of one student-athlete from each SEC institution, nominated by his school's personnel, who has devoted himself to community service. Clayton, a native of Opelika, was a special guest at the 111th EOD Army National Guard Deployment Ceremony in Opelika, where he greeted and mingled with the guardsmen and their families before the official ceremony. He was a special guest at the Sports Academy's Homers for Haiti event, speaking to kids and signing autographs. Clayton has also been active with Camp Good Grief, which is a daylong camp sponsored by Hospice of East Alabama, for children who have suffered losses/deaths in their family. Clayton has also been active in area schools, speaking to kids on the importance of staying in school and making good grades at Samford Middle School and Richland Elementary School. He has also spent time with the Downtown Trick or Treat, Storybook Farms, SAAC's Toys for Tot and SAACs Food Drive.

Auburn's Cam Newton wins third award, the Maxwell Award as nation's top player

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton won three major college football awards Thursday night, the last being the Maxwell Award for being the outstanding player in college football.

Newton also won the Walter Camp Award, which also goes to the top player; and the Davey O'Brien Award, which goes to the country's top quarterback.

Newton is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in New York on Saturday.

"No guy would be able to do it without the supporting cast, and I have an unbelievable supporting cast, starting with my offensive linemen,'' Newton said on the ESPN awards show.

Asked what he'll say to his linemen, Newton said, "I just want to thank them. I'll whip up a big ol' batch of Cammy Cam Juice for them."

Newton, who is only the third player in NCAA history to have at least 20 rushing and 20 passing touchdowns in the same season, has helped Auburn to a spot in the BCS national championship game against Oregon.

Newton, offensive tackle Lee Ziemba and defensive tackle Nick Fairley were named to first-teamers on the Walter Camp All-American team.

Auburn's Cam Newton wins Davey O'Brien Award

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback Thursday night.

Newton has helped Auburn to a 13-0 record and to the BCS national championship game against Oregon on Jan. 10.

"We tried to tackle him in the parking lot. He knocked me down real quick,'' said Oregon coach Chip Kelly after Newton won the award.

Newton is the first player in SEC history with at least 1,000 yards rushing and 2,000 passing in the same season. He is also only the second player in NCAA history with at least 20 rushing touchdowns and 20 passing touchdowns in the same season.