College football notes: Tebow among finalists for Walter Camp award

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Florida's Tim Tebow, and four Big 12 players are finalists for the Walter Camp Football Foundation's player of the year award.

Three quarterbacks — Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, Texas' Colt McCoy and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell — and Harrell's teammate Michael Crabtree are the other finalists.

Crabtree has caught 18 touchdown passes this year, and has 93 receptions for 1,135 yards. Harrell ranks second in the nation with 4,747 yards passing and has thrown for 41 touchdowns.

Tebow, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, has thrown for 2,299 yards and 25 touchdowns and run for 507 yards and 12 more scores this season.

Bradford, a sophomore, has passed for 4,080 yards and a nation-leading 46 touchdowns.

McCoy, a junior, has passed for 3,445 yards with 32 touchdowns, while rushing for 576 yards and 10 scores.

The winner will be announced Dec. 11 after a vote by the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision coaches and sports information directors. The trophy will be presented Jan. 17 at the foundation's annual awards banquet in New Haven.

• KELLY TO STAY AT CINCINNATI: Coach Brian Kelly, who has been mentioned as a candidate at Washington, tried to end speculation Tuesday that he's leaving No. 13 Cincinnati, saying that he's happy with the football program's development and he plans to stay.

Kelly acknowledged that other schools had expressed an interest in him, but said he's not interested in leaving.

"All I can say is that with all the speculation and all the jobs that have been out there, sooner or later 'no' means 'no,' " Kelly said.

The Bearcats (10-2) won the Big East title this season, sending them to the first BCS bowl in school history. A win Saturday at Hawaii would set a school record for victories in a season.

• QUICK SLANTS: Southern California wide receiver Vidal Hazelton has decided to transfer. He was USC's second-leading receiver as a sophomore last year but was hampered by injuries this season. ... New Mexico State fired football coach Hal Mumme. The Aggies lost seven straight games to end the season 3-9. ... Florida defensive tackle Brandon Antwine tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Saturday at Florida State and will have season-ending surgery. ... Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning resigned after the Tigers officially hired Dabo Swinney as head coach. ... Kentucky freshman quarterback Randall Cobb is doubtful to play in the Wildcats' bowl game after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.