Auburn gives reins to Boise State’s Harsin
Auburn has hired Boise State’s Bryan Harsin as its head coach, luring him away from his alma mater and into the powerful Southeastern Conference.
Auburn announced the hiring Tuesday evening. The 44-yearold Harsin is 69-19 with three Mountain West titles in seven seasons at Boise State, but winning in the SEC affords greater chances for playoff berths and national titles.
The Auburn job is also sure to bring a major pay raise, though contract details for Harsin weren’t immediately available.
“I’m incredibly excited and humbled for the opportunity to be at a place like Auburn University,” Harsin said in a statement. “I knew it would take a special opportunity to get me out of Boise and Auburn is exactly that, the chance to compete at the highest level for one of the greatest programs in college football.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and players in the Southeastern Conference, but am ready to help build a foundation at Auburn where we can consistently compete for championships.”
Auburn fired Gus Malzahn earlier this month after he went 6-4 in his eighth season — a move that cost the school more than $21 million to buy out the former coach’s contract.
BYU routs UCF as Wilson stars
Zach Wilson threw for 425 yards with three touchdown passes and two rushing scores as No. 16 BYU routed UCF 49-23 in the Boca Raton Bowl at Boca Raton, Fla.
Wilson, considered a top NFL prospect, completed 26 of 34.
The Cougars (11-1) led 35-10 at halftime and finished with 655 yards of offense to 411 for UCF (6-4).
BYU led 14-0 less than four minutes into the game after scoring on its first two drives, each more than 70 yards and less than 1:50 in duration.
Strong’s 5 TDs lift Nevada past Tulane
Carson Strong threw for 271 yards and five touchdowns, Devonte Lee and Toa Taua each rushed for over 100 yards, and Nevada beat Tulane 38-27 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Boise.
Cameron Carroll rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown for Tulane (6-6).
Nevada finished 7-2.
Gasparilla Bowl off after COVID issues
The Gasparilla Bowl was canceled after South Carolina withdrew because of COVID-19 issues within the program.
Organizers tried to find an opponent for UAB for Saturday’s game at Tampa, Fla., but came up empty.
Lawrence, Jones finalists for awards
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Alabama stars Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith are the finalists for the Maxwell Award given to college football’s top player.
The finalists for nine college football awards were announced Tuesday. The winners will be announced Jan. 7. Lawrence and Jones are also finalists for Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, along with Florida’s Kyle Trask.
Smith is also up for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the top receiver. Florida’s Kyle Pitts is the first tight end to be a Biletnikoff finalist, and was joined by Mississippi’s Elijah Moore. Other awards and finalists: Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) — Zaven Collins, linebacker, Tulsa; Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, linebacker, Notre Dame; Patrick Surtain II, cornerback, Alabama.
Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) — Liam Eichenberg, tackle, Notre Dame; Alex Leatherwood, tackle, Alabama; Daviyon Nixon, defensive tackle, Iowa.
Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) — Richie Grant, safety, UCF; Trevon Moehrig, safety, TCU; Patrick Surtain II, cornerback, Alabama.
Doak Walker Award (top running back) — Travis Etienne, Clemson; Breece Hall, Iowa State; Najee Harris, Alabama.
Ray Guy Award (top punter) — Jake Camarada, Georgia; Pressley Harvin Jr., Georgia Tech; Lou Hedley, Miami.
Lou Groza Award (top kicker) — Jose Borregales, Miami; Jake Oldroyd, BYU; Will Reichard, Alabama.
Odds and ends
Florida received a year of probation and coach Dan Mullen was sanctioned after the school and the NCAA agreed to resolve an infractions case involving impermissible contact with recruits last year. None of the infractions was deemed Level I, the most serious, but the NCAA said the head coach did not promote an atmosphere of compliance. … Navy will host Air Force on Sept. 11, 2021 with the game commemorating the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. … Michigan and defensive coordinator Don Brown, the highest paid assistant coach in the Big Ten at $1.1 million a year, have parted ways.