Clemson defensive coach wins award over Canada

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has won the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football. Venables was a finalist for the third time for the award, which is named after former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles.

Venables, 45, helped the Tigers (12-1) return to the College Football Playoff for a second year in a row this season, guiding a defense that was ninth in Football Bowl Subdivision while allowing an average of 313.9 yards per game. He did so despite losing seven defensive starters from a season ago, when Clemson lost to Alabama in the national championship.

The second-seeded Tigers face Ohio State in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl on

Notebook

Dec. 31.

Other finalists included Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada, Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, Michigan defensive coordinator Dan Brown.

Clemson lone loss this season was Nov. 12, 43-42, to Pitt at Death Valley.

Michigan State

Defensive lineman Malik McDowell is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft, where he is a potential first-round pick. McDowell (6 feet 6, 276 pounds) led the Spartans with seven tackles for a loss despite sitting out of three games with an apparent leg injury, and was named to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team.