All-American freeze-out for Penn St.

The Associated Press all-American football teams were announced Tuesday. For the first time since 2004, no Penn State player made the top three teams.

The most notable omission is senior linebacker Michael Mauti, the only Big Ten player ranked in the top 10 in the conference in tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles.

Another AP all-American candidate was senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill, a first-team all Big Ten selection.

Florida's Shariff Floyd, a junior tackle out of Philadelphia's George Washington High, was a third-team selection.

Alabama placed four players on the all-American team. Among them was center Barrett Jones, who became a two-time first-team selection. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones also became two-time all-Americans.

Can't miss at Southern Miss? Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken was introduced as Southern Mississippi's new football coach after the worst season (0-12) in school history. Monken comes to the Golden Eagles after two seasons leading the Cowboys' high-scoring offense, which is averaging nearly 45 points this season. Monken replaces Ellis Johnson, who was fired Nov. 27.

Rose Bowl payday. Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez will earn $118,500 for returning to the sideline to coach the Badgers in the Rose Bowl, and a win against Stanford will mean a $50,000 bonus. Alvarez, who coached the Badgers from 1990 through 2005, was called in after the surprise departure of Bret Bielema, who left for Arkansas.