In brief: McFadden, Tebow top AP All-American team

When it comes to being an All-American, Darren McFadden doesn’t have to settle for second.

The Arkansas running back and two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up was one of four players voted to The Associated Press All-America team for the second consecutive season.

Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis were the other two-time first-team AP All-Americans on the team released Tuesday.

Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow joins McFadden in the backfield along with Central Florida’s Kevin Smith, who leads the nation with 2,448 yards and 30 touchdowns.

McFadden set school records with 1,725 yards rushing and 2,172 all-purpose yards. He scored 16 touchdowns and threw four TD passes.

Kansas State’s Jordy Nelson, a former walk-on, was named to the first team as a receiver after tallying 122 receptions and 1,606 yards, behind fellow All-American Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech.

Crabtree set NCAA freshman records with 125 receptions for 1,861 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Redshirt freshmen Jeremy Maclin from Missouri (all-purpose player) and Arizona State kicker Thomas Weber also made the first team.

Missouri’s Martin Rucker, who led the nation’s tight ends with 81 catches, gave the Tigers two All-Americans.

Long was joined on the offensive line by Kansas tackle Anthony Collins, guards Duke Robinson of Oklahoma and Martin O’Donnell of Illinois, and Wake Forest center Steve Justice.

On the defensive line with Dorsey and Ellis were ends Chris Long from Virginia and George Selvie of South Florida. Penn State’s Dan Connor, Colorado’s Jordan Dizon, who led the nation in solo tackles with 107, and Laurinaitis were the linebackers.

The cornerbacks were Aqib Talib from Kansas and Antoine Cason from Arizona. The safeties were Jamie Silva from Boston College and Craig Steltz from LSU. Cincinnati’s Kevin Huber was the punter.

“Mike Ditka will dissolve his Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund in the wake of a report that the charity had given only a small amount of money to needy former NFL players.

“Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith is out for the rest of the season after he tore a biceps muscle during their loss at New England.

“Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett pleaded not guilty to two charges of disorderly conduct stemming from a confrontation outside a Green Bay, Wis., nightclub June 17.

“Tampa Bay reserve tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for one game for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, 80, has been hospitalized in Los Angeles with an undisclosed illness, a family spokesman said.

“Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head coaching vacancy at Duke.

Miscellany

Tiger wins POY again

No one came close to matching Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, which is becoming as predictable as Woods being voted the PGA Tour player of the year.

With seven victories and another major championship, Woods won the award for the third straight season and the ninth time in his 11 years since he turned pro. The only questions now are whether he’s playing his best golf, and how much better he can get.

“Is he spoiling everyone?” Brad Faxon asked after a pro-am round at the Target World Challenge. “I don’t see anyone close. I don’t see who the next guy is.”

Phil Mickelson was the only other player on the PGA Tour ballot with three victories. Woods won the money title by more than $5 million, and Woods’ stroke average was 1.4 shots per round lower than Ernie Els.

“Minnesota Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith finalized a contract that will pay him $1.75 million annually over seven years.

“Larry Holmes led a group of 12 inducted into the 2008 class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame at Canastota, N.Y.