Sports in Brief: Newton wins Maxwell Award

Auburn quarterback

Cam Newton

won the Maxwell Award presented annually to the nation's best all-around player as college football awards were handed out Thursday night in Orlando, Fla.

The other finalists were Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.

The Award is presented by Philadelphia's Maxwell Club.

Newton also won the Davey O'Brien Award presented to the nation's best quarterback. The other finalists were Luck and Moore.

Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. The other finalists were Florida State guard Rodney Hudson and Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder.

LSU junior cornerback Patrick Peterson won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player. Clemson defensive end Da' Quan Bowers and Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley were the other finalists. Peterson also took home the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back. TCU safety Tejay Johnson and Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara were the other finalists.

Oklahoma State's Dan Bailey won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker. Notre Dame's David Ruffer and Southern Mississippi's Danny Hrapmann were the other finalists.

Florida's Chas Henry won the Ray Guy Award as the best punter. Henry beat out Iowa's Ryan Donahue and Georgia's Drew Butler.

Oregon's LaMichael James won the Doak Walker Award as the top running back. Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter and Wisconsin's John Clay were the other finalists.

Oklahoma State sophomore Justin Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award for best receiver. The other finalists were Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery.

In a related matter, Newton's father, Cecil Newton, released a statement saying he will not attend Saturday's Heisman Trophy award ceremony because his presence might "rob Cam and the event of a sacred moment."

Newton is the favorite to win the Heisman, but his candidacy took a hit when the NCAA started looking into allegations that Cecil Newton had demanded $180,000 from two Mississippi State assistant coaches in exchange for his son's commitment to the Bulldogs.

The NCAA reinstated Cam Newton after a one-day suspension by Auburn last week, ruling that neither the player nor Auburn knew of his father's alleged attempts to get money.

CYCLING: Officials in Reading are organizing a series of bicycle rides of varying lengths, from 20 miles to 90 miles, in Berks County next year. Pro Cycling Tour is behind the effort, which is being called Reading Radsport and has been scheduled for Aug. 6-7. Organizers said their aim is to attract thousands of recreational and competitive cyclists to the event.

SOCCER: - Staff and wire reports