Tebow heads list of finalists

NEW YORK – Tim Tebow will go for two against a pair of talented quarterbacks from the Big 12 when the Heisman Trophy is handed out Saturday night.

Sam Bradford from Oklahoma and Colt McCoy from Texas joined Tebow as Heisman finalists announced Wednesday.

Tebow, the rugged and multitalented junior from Florida, was the first sophomore to win the Heisman last year and is trying to become the second player to win it twice.

Archie Griffin won the Heisman as a junior in 1974 for Ohio State and again in 1975.

Tebow’s Gators will play Bradford and the Sooners in the BCS national championship game Jan. 8 in Miami.

Tebow became the first college football player with 20 touchdown passes and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2007, carrying a Florida team that finished 9-4.

This season, Tebow’s stats were down, but his play has still been stellar. He is fifth in the nation in passer rating (176.7) with 28 TD passes and only two interceptions. He hasn’t been asked to run as much this season, but still has 564 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

Most important, the Gators (12-1) are a win away from their second national title in three years.