Stanford’s Love invited to Heisman show
Stanford running back Bryce Love, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville are Heisman finalists invited to New York for Saturday’s ceremony.
Jackson is trying to become the second player to win two Heismans, joining former Ohio State star Archie Griffin, but Mayfield is the clear front-runner. He leads the nation in efficiency rating at 203.76 and has thrown for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Jackson’s numbers have been better than last season in some categories, but Louisville (8-4) has not had the big wins to go with it. He is averaging 411 total yards, up from 393 last season, and accounted for 42 touchdowns.
Love is second in the nation in rushing at 164.42 yards per game and is averaging 8.32 yards per carry for the Cardinal. Despite an ankle injury, he still led the nation in rushes of at least 50 yards, with 12, and scored 17 touchdowns. WOLFPACK DE WINS NAGURSKI AWARD >> North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb has won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player.
Chubb leads the FBS in tackles for loss with 23 1/2 this season. He has 25 sacks during his career, including 10 this year.
FROST RETAINS SEVEN UCF ASSISTANTS >> Nebraska coach Scott Frost will bring seven of his assistant coaches from Central Florida with him to Lincoln.
Troy Walters, the Knights’ offensive coordinator and receivers coach, is not among them. He is UCF’s interim coach and a candidate for the permanent job.
All of the assistant coaches will be allowed to coach UCF in the Peach Bowl against Auburn. COUGARS’ QB WINS BURLSWORTH AWARD >> Washington State quarterback Luke Falk has won the Burlsworth Award, given annually to the top college football player who began his career as a walk-on.
Falk threw for 3,593 yards and 30 touchdowns this season for the Cougars.
Soccer
TIMBERS’ VALERI AWARDED MLS MVP >> Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri is Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player.
Valeri had 21 goals and 11 assists this season for Portland, which finished atop the Western Conference.
He is the first midfielder in league history with 20 or more goals in a season and the second player with at least 20 goals and 10 assists in a season. His 32 combined goals and assists rank fifth in MLS history. GULATI WON’T RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM >> U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati will not seek a fourth term, announcing his decision two months after the Americans failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Former players Paul Caligiuri, Eric Wynalda and Kyle Martino are among the candidates for the election in February. USSF vice president Carlos Cordeiro also is running, as are attorneys Steve Gans and Michael Winograd, and Paul LaPointe, Northeast Conference manager of the UPSL.