Big Sky salutes Hauck
Montana’s Bobby Hauck has been named the Big Sky Conference football coach of the year, as voted by the conference’s head coaches.
Hauck had never won the honor.
Hauck is a candidate for the Eddie Robinson Award, given annually to the top coach in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).
Montana opened the 2006 season with a 41-17 loss at Iowa and has since won 10 straight.
The Grizzlies are seeded second in the FCS with a 10-1 overall record. Montana won the Big Sky championship with an 8-0 record, the first time since 2001 a Big Sky team went unbeaten in conference play.
Montana, which has won or shared a record nine consecutive Big Sky titles, hosts McNeese State in a first-round playoff game Saturday.
Badgers accept bowl bid
Wisconsin has accepted an invitation to play in the Capital One Bowl for the second straight year, the school announced.
The No. 10 Badgers (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) will play a Southeastern Conference opponent in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1.
The game will kick off at 10 a.m. PST and be televised by ABC.
“The University of Minnesota accepted an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl, the school announced.
The Gophers will play a Big 12 opponent Dec. 29 at the bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
“Penn State will play in 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 the bid to the Jan. 1 game in Tampa, Fla., where they will play a team from the Southeastern Conference.
“Iowa accepted a bid 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.
“Purdue will play in the Champs Sports Bowl, making a return to the postseason after missing last year for the only time in Joe Tiller’s 10 seasons as coach.
Thorpe finalists named
Michigan’s Leon Hall, Florida’s Reggie Nelson and Texas’ Aaron Ross were selected as finalists 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.
“Mike Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Steve Slaton of West Virginia were named finalists 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.
“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 winner will be announced Dec. 7.