COLLEGE FOOTBALL | News and notes

Penn State: The Nittany Lions are headed to the Outback Bowl, making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since the 1998 and '99 seasons. The Nittany Lions (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) accepted a bid to the Jan. 1 game in Tampa, Fla., where they will be play a still-to-be-determined opponent from the Southeastern Conference. Penn State beat Florida State in last season's Orange Bowl. Bowl games were once commonplace in Happy Valley, but coach Joe Paterno's program fell on some lean times earlier this decade. The Nittany Lions last went to the Outback Bowl to cap the 1998 season, defeating Kentucky 26-14. Penn State shut out Texas A & amp;M in the 1999 Alamo Bowl after a year in which their national title hopes were dashed following three losses to end the regular season. "This team has worked hard all season and has been a great group to work with," coach Joe Paterno said in a statement. "I'm happy for the squad that their efforts will be rewarded with an opportunity to go to Tampa." Penn State will be play in its 33rd bowl game in Paterno's 41-year tenure as head coach. Paterno is the all-time leader in post-season appearances and victories (21). Besides 1998, the Lions also played at the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 1996, routing Auburn 43-14.
Wisconsin: The Badgers accepted an invitation to play in the Capital One Bowl for the second straight year. The No. 10 Badgers (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) will play a Southeastern Conference opponent in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1. First-year coach Bret Bielema, who was selected as the Big Ten coach of the year earlier Tuesday, said on Monday that he still held out hope that the Badgers would be included in the Bowl Championship Series. This will be Wisconsin's 18th bowl appearance. The Badgers are 9-8 overall in bowl games, including victories in nine of their last 13. This is also the 12th bowl appearance in the past 14 seasons for Wisconsin, including a school record-tying five straight.
Purdue: Purdue will play in the Champs Sports Bowl, making a return to bowl play after missing last year for the only time in Joe Tiller's 10 seasons as coach. The Boilermakers accepted the bid on Tuesday to play in the Dec. 29 game in Orlando, Fla., against an undetermined team from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The announcement came as the Boilermakers (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) were leaving for their trip to play their final regular season game at No. 25 Hawaii on Saturday. Purdue won't know its opponent until after the ACC championship game on Dec. 2. The bowl trip marks a rebound for the Boilermakers following a 5-6 finish last year that included a six-game losing streak after being ranked 11th early in the season. "I am pleased for our players that they get this reward," Tiller said. "We have a young team that has worked hard, gotten better over the course of the season and put itself in position to play in this game." Kickoff for the Champs Sports Bowl is scheduled for 8 p.m., and the game is to be televised by ESPN. Purdue football players Eugene Bright and Derek Benson will not travel to Saturday's game at No. 25 Hawaii after being arrested at a party over the weekend, school officials said Tuesday. Police used a stun gun to control the 21-year-old Bright, who is accused of fighting with an officer early Sunday at an underage drinking party hours after last week's win over Indiana. Bright, a junior defensive end, was charged with battery on a police officer and resisting law enforcement, Lt. Gary Sparger of the West Lafayette Police Department said Tuesday. Bright hit the officer in the arm and chest, Sparger said. The 21-year-old Benson, a redshirt freshman who hosted the party, was charged with suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, disorderly conduct and maintaining a common nuisance, police said.
Minnesota: The University of Minnesota on Tuesday accepted an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl. The Gophers will play a Big 12 opponent Friday, Dec. 29, at the bowl in Tempe, Ariz. Minnesota (6-6) will be playing in its fifth consecutive bowl game and its seventh in the past eight seasons.
Iowa: Iowa accepted a bid Tuesday to play in the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The Hawkeyes (6-6), making their third Alamo Bowl appearance, will face a Big 12 opponent. In 2001, Iowa's win against Texas Tech drew the second-largest crowd in Alamo Bowl history.
Thorpe Award: Michigan's Leon Hall, Florida's Reggie Nelson and Texas' Aaron Ross were selected as finalists Tuesday for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football's top defensive back. The winner will be announced Dec. 7, and the award will be presented Feb. 12 at an Oklahoma City banquet. Ross leads the trio with five interceptions and gives the Longhorns a chance to win the award for the second consecutive year. Texas' Michael Huff earned the honor last season. Nelson has four interceptions, including a 70-yard return for a touchdown against Alabama, and Hall has three picks.
Doak Walker: Mike Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Steve Slaton of West Virginia were named finalists Tuesday for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation's top running back. The winner will be announced Dec. 7, and the award will be presented Feb. 15 at a Dallas banquet. The award is named after three-time SMU All-American running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker.
Outland Trophy: West Virginia center Dan Mozes, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock are the finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in college football. The finalists were announced Tuesday and the winner will be announced Dec. 7. Greg Eslinger of Minnesota won the award last season.
Associated Press
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