College Confidential

Tebow wins inspirational award

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow received the Disney Spirit Award for the most inspirational story.
Tebow, the defending Heisman Trophy winner, was recognized for his missionary work in the Philippines and his time spent speaking to prisoners.
"It means a lot. It means a lot more than the Heisman cause it's about what you do off the field and that's more important,'' Tebow said.

-Trae Thompson

TCU's Hughes on Walter Camp team

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes is a Walter Camp All-American.
Hughes joins a prestigious group on defense that also includes Texas' Brian Orakpo, Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and USC's Rey Maualuga.
Others on offense include Colt McCoy, who was named Player of the Year, Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, Oklahoma offensive lineman Duke Robinson and Texas Tech offensive lineman Rylan Reed.

-Trae Thompson

Couching it tonight in Lake Buena Vista

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Over the years I've filed stories from anywhere and everywhere.
There was an abandoned grocery store parking lot in Pilot Point, a private school gymnasium in Cedar Hill (that I actually got locked in. Didn't get out until 3 a.m.), a Hooter's parking lot and a hip-hop club.
Add tonight to the list.
I'm sitting on a couch upstairs here covering the ESPNU College Football Awards Show (something about running out of seats, even for those who requested spaces like myself).
Anyways, I'm biting the lip, taking the high road.
There will be plenty more as the night progresses.... -Trae Thompson

SGP grad among Lou Groza finalists

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Arkansas State junior kicker Josh Arauco sat around some of college football's best yesterday, thinking about when he first heard he was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.
"I was telling my friends I really don't feel I'm of the caliber to be in the same room with these people,'' said Arauco, a South Grand Prairie graduate.
But Arauco is one of three - along with Florida State's Graham Gano and Utah's Louie Sakoda - up for the Groza, which honors college football's top kicker.
The award will be presented tonight on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, which will be televised from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on ESPN.
This season, Arauco has made 17-of-20 field goals, including all four in Arkansas State's 18-14 season opening victory at Texas A&M. He was also 37-of-38 on extra points.
Arauco, who made the trip with his parents, has seen film of Sakoda, and had the chance to talk to him and Gano, both of whom he said are very nice. Another player, though, caught his attention.
"It's pretty crazy to be in the room with Graham Harrell,'' Arauco said during Wednesday's media interviews. "I watch him on TV all the time."

-Trae Thompson

Saban named Coach of the Year

Alabama coach Nick Saban has been named the Home Depot Coach of the Year.
Saban in his second year with the team has guided the Crimson Tide to a 12-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama was also ranked No.1 for the first time in the regular season since 1980.
Saban will be presented with the award during the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, which will be televised on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

-Trae Thompson

Holtz wasn't wise, but he shouldn't be fired

Read through my blogs and websites today, and it seems plenty of people in a huff over Lou Holtz.
For those who didn't hear, the former Notre Dame coach - now a college football analyst for ESPN - fired off a Hitler reference on Friday night when talking about first-year Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez (to paraphrase, he basically implied that Hitler was also a bad leader).
Of course, Holtz came out and apologized quickly for his comment. Fast forward to this morning, where some columnists around the country are calling for Holtz to be disciplined, or fired. Now, what he said was wrong and ignorant, and I think he was sincere with his apology, but to demand he be fired? Easy there people.
What I have a problem with really is the pattern of behavior by some in my industry who take ignorant comments like these and develop some made-up controversy just to generate more page views on their website or gain a larger TV audience. The P.C. police also loves to get involved with these kinds of statements, expressing their "outrage" and calling for protests and firings, but knowingly puts their head in the sand and remains quiet when comments that are much more vile and hateful are uttered (something about double standards have always bothered me).
Bottom line: Holtz was wrong, said something stupid and held himself accountable. What he said basically reinforces a basic lesson our parents taught us ages ago, "Think before you speak."

- Trae Thompson