Alabama’s Derrick Henry wins college football’s player of year award
Alabama running back Derrick Henry was the biggest star of college football’s awards night, as he won the Maxwell Award, given to the college player of the year, and the Doak Walker Award given to the nation’s top running back.
The awards were presented for the first time at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Thursday.
Also Thursday, Henry was chosen as the Walter Camp National Player of the Year.
Henry joined Trent Richardson, who won in 2011, as the only Alabama players to win the Doak Walker Award. Some other recent winners include Darren McFadden, Montee Ball and 2014 winner Melvin Gordon.
“This list is legendary,” Henry said. “I’m just thankful to be a part of it.”
Henry, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson were the finalists for the Maxwell Award and also are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, to be presented on Saturday.
Watson won the Davey O’Brien Award given to the nation’s top quarterback.
Other award winners Thursday were: Stanford’s Joshua Garnett (Outland Trophy, given to the top interior lineman); Temple’s Tyler Matakevich (Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s defensive player of the year); UCLA’s Ka’imi Fairbairn (Lou Groza Award for the nation’s top kicker); Iowa’s Desmond King (Jim Thorpe Award for the nation’s best defensive back); Baylor’s Corey Coleman (Biletnikoff Award for nation’s outstanding receiver); Utah’s Tom Hackett (Ray Guy Award for nation’s top punter.
Sonny Dykes signs extension with Cal
California agreed to a two-year contract extension with coach Sonny Dykes that will increase his pay immediately and keep him locked up through the 2019 season.
Dykes had two years remaining on his original five-year deal and both sides had been looking to extend it after he helped lead the Golden Bears to their first bowl game since 2011.
Dykes will get a raise from approximately $2 million a year – which was the lowest salary for a head football coach in the Pac-12 – to $2.825 million per year for the next four seasons. The new salary ranks in the middle of the conference, according to a USA Today database.
Dykes has a 13-23 record in three seasons at Cal. Cal has shown improvement each season going from one win in Dykes’ first year in 2013 to five last year to a 7-5 record this season and a berth in the Armed Forces Bowl against Air Force later this month.
Texas A&M QB Kyle Allen will transfer
Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen is transferring from the school immediately.
The Aggies granted his release. The school didn’t say where Allen would be going.
The sophomore appeared in 10 games for the Aggies this season and threw for 2,210 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Allen won the starting job out of camp but was benched in favor of freshman Kyler Murray after throwing three interceptions, all of which were returned for touchdowns, in a loss to Alabama in October.
Allen received only sporadic playing time after he was benched. He played in 10 games as a freshman last season after Kenny Hill was benched after his struggles.
Overall, Allen went 9-5 in 14 career starts.
Ohio State defensive lineman cited for solicitation
Ohio State officials say defensive lineman Adolphus Washington has been cited by Columbus, Ohio, police for solicitation and is due in court Dec. 17.
Buckeyes spokesman Jerry Emig said police cited Washington Wednesday night with a first-degree misdemeanor.
Emig says coach Urban Meyer will discipline Washington once he gets back in town next week from a recruiting trip.
Washington issued an apology through the university to his team, family and friends. He says he’s disappointed in himself and will learn from his mistake.
Washington is a senior who has played in one game this season after starting in 14 games last season.
Ohio State plays Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi signs extension
Pittsburgh’s promising first season under Pat Narduzzi has earned the energetic football coach a contract extension.
The school announced it has extended Narduzzi’s contract through the 2021 season. Narduzzi led Pitt to an 8-4 record and a second-place finish behind North Carolina in the ACC Coastal Division. Pitt will face Navy in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28.
Athletic director Scott Barnes said Narduzzi “adrenalized” the program after replacing Paul Chryst last December. Narduzzi said he is “humbled” by the support from Barnes and the rest of the athletic department.
No daily fantasy ads to run during College Football Playoff
College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock says ESPN has agreed to not use advertisements for daily fantasy sports websites during broadcasts of the biggest postseason games.
Hancock said College Football Playoff officials discussed the matter with ESPN executives and both sides determined that given the uncertainties of about daily fantasy sports sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel it “would be best to allocate the available spots to others.”
The NCAA and FBS conferences asked DraftKings and FanDuel to stop offering college versions of their games because they consider them gambling. Same states, including New York, are investigating the whether the daily fantasy sites violate the law.
The NCAA has asked its TV partners to not run commercials for daily fantasy sites during its championship events and games, including the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, but college football’s postseason mostly operates outside the NCAA.