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Weinke voted top senior QB

By Times wires and correspondent reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 22, 2000

Florida State's Chris Weinke on Tuesday won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation's top senior quarterback.

Weinke is 266-of-431 for 4,167 yards, the most in the nation, and 33 touchdowns.

The other finalists were Oklahoma's Josh Heupel, Purdue's Drew Brees, Washington's Marques Tuiasosopo and Boise State's Bart Hendricks. Weinke will receive the award Dec. 8 in Louisville, Ky.

Also, Weinke and FSU senior defensive end Jamal Reynolds were named finalists for the Football News offensive and defensive player of the year awards. Other offensive candidates are Heupel, Brees, TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Northwestern running back Damien Anderson. Joining Reynolds are Miami linebacker Dan Morgan, Clemson linebacker Keith Adams, Mississippi State cornerback Fred Smoot and Oklahoma safety J.T. Thatcher. The winners will be announced Dec. 6.

Reynolds and wide receiver Marvin "Snoop" Minnis were named first-team All-Americans by the Football Writers Association of America.

-- BRIAN LANDMAN

Writers tab Sheppard

GAINESVILLE -- Florida cornerback Lito Sheppard was named a Football Writers Association of America first-team All-American. The sophomore has 36 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

"I congratulate my teammates for playing hard with me in the secondary," Sheppard said. "I think we improved overall in the secondary this year."

WRAPPING UP PRACTICE: Coach Steve Spurrier canceled the last scheduled practice of the week.

-- DEBI JONES

Getting there not enough

TALLAHASSEE -- Though this is the fifth consecutive year Florida A&M has reached the Division I-AA playoffs, many Rattlers are not satisfied.

"Every year since I've been at FAMU we've been in the playoffs, but we haven't achieved that ultimate goal yet," senior defensive end Ebbie Parsons said. "It's not a big feat to make it to the playoffs anymore. Now we're trying to get that diamond ring."

FAMU lost in the semifinals last season and fell in the quarterfinals in 1998.

-- JABARI RITCHIE

4 'Canes on writers list

Miami placed four players, the most of any team, on the football writers All-America first team. Morgan, defensive back Edward Reed, offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez and kick returner Santana Moss made the team. Morgan also named one of five finalists for the writers' Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player.

Meanwhile, coach Butch Davis denied contact with Alabama officials about its coaching job.

-- TIMES WIRES

Around the nation

ALABAMA: Athletic director Mal Moore said he hopes to meet with top candidates to replace coach Mike DuBose next week. Reportedly topping his list are Davis and Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer.

GEORGIA: Quarterback Quincy Carter will miss Saturday's regular-season finale against Georgia Tech with an injured thumb. Also, coach Jim Donnan, who nearly took the North Carolina job three years ago, said he doesn't want to return to his home state after the firing of Carl Torbush.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lou Holtz will have his contract extended, reinstating the original five-year term. He also will get a raise from his base salary of $150,000 and total package worth $883,600, but the amount has not been determined.

AWARDS: Wisconsin's Jamar Fletcher, Akron's Dwight Smith and Mississippi State's Smoot are finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award for top defensive back.

BOWLS: Cincinnati accepted a bid to the Dec. 27 Motor City Bowl against the MAC champion. ... East Carolina will play in the inaugural galleryfurniture.com Bowl on Dec. 27 at Houston. ... Georgia Tech will stay in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29 against an SEC team. ... Southern Miss will play TCU in the Mobile Alabama Bowl on Dec. 20.

-- TIMES WIRES

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