New York ? Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh had 41/2 sacks in an attention-grabbing performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game. Now, he is the first defensive player to be a Heisman Trophy finalist since 1997, when Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson became the first full-time defensive player to win the Heisman.

Suh — along with Colt McCoy, Mark Ingram, Toby Gerhart and Tim Tebow — was named a finalist Monday for college football’s most prestigious player of the year award.

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded Saturday in Manhattan. The presentation ceremony has been televised since 1981, and since 1982 at least three players have been invited to attend.

“It is good to see that the Heisman voters have recognized the true impact a dominant defensive lineman like Suh can have on a football game,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said.

college football

Husker named top defender

Charlotte, N.C. — Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh had a rough couple of days, from a last-second loss in the Big 12 championship game to losing his luggage on his way to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy banquet.

Suh’s bag arrived just in time Monday for him to slip on his dark suit and shiny black shoes, learn he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, and then win the Nagurski as the nation’s top defensive player.

Not a bad turnaround.

“There have been greats that won this. They have all their posters around the hotel,” Suh said. “It’s a very well-known trophy, and it’s really the Heisman of the defensive players.”

Suh beat out TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes, Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody, Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer and Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry for the Nagurski, awarded by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Cincy coach to talk to Irish

Cincinnati — Coach Brian Kelly confirmed on Monday that he will meet with Notre Dame officials about their open job, leaving fourth-ranked Cincinnati with a lot of uncertainty heading into its first Sugar Bowl appearance.

“Just informed our team that Notre Dame has contacted me and I will listen to what they have to say,” he tweeted.

The New York Times reported on Monday that Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh also is being interviewed for the job as Charlie Weis’ successor. Harbaugh declined to talk about it, telling the newspaper, “Not now or not in the future will I talk about any other jobs or opportunities.”

Notre Dame duo turning pro

South Bend, Ind. — Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and his favorite receiver, Golden Tate, announced Monday they will bypass their senior seasons and enter the NFL Draft. They shared the team’s most valuable player award.

“I don’t think we could have done more than we did this past year,” Clausen said. “Golden has played great. I’ve done my part. I think this is just the best time for us to go out.”

Virginia taps London

Charlottesville, Va. — Mike London said all the right things in accepting the job to rebuild Virginia’s football program, talking of how high academic standards shouldn’t rule out success on the field and the importance of building deep and personal relationships.

London agreed to a five-year contract that will pay him $1.7 million per year to take over a team coming off a 3-9 record, its worst since 1982. It has had three losing seasons in the last four and fallen behind the rival Hokies in the minds of many in-state recruits.

auto racing

Source: Patrick to NASCAR

Charlotte, N.C. — A person familiar with the plan says Danica Patrick has reached a deal to enter NASCAR with JR Motorsports.

Patrick will announce a partial Nationwide Series schedule at a news conference today in Phoenix, the person familiar with her plans told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because she has not officially announced her intentions.

Tiger Woods accident

Blood results questioned

Windermere, Fla. — A Florida trooper who suspected Tiger Woods was driving under the influence sought a subpoena for the golfer’s blood results from the hospital he was taken to after crashing his SUV, but prosecutors rejected the petition for insufficient information, according to a police report released Monday.

A witness, who wasn’t identified in the report, told trooper Joshua Evans that Woods had been drinking alcohol earlier. The same witness also said Woods had been prescribed two drugs, Ambien and Vicodin.

The report did not say who the witness was but added it was the same person who pulled Woods from the vehicle after the accident outside his home.

baseball

Pair elected to Hall of Fame

Indianapolis — Whitey Herzog spent a good, long time stewing about a blown call in the 1985 World Series. So in a strange way, perhaps this fits: He’s going into the Hall of Fame, standing next to an umpire.

Herzog and prominent crew chief Doug Harvey got the call Monday, elected to the Hall by the Veterans Committee.

Herzog was a single vote short in his previous try, and might’ve made it sooner with another crown on his resume. But he was forever linked to Don Denkinger after the ump’s infamous miss in Game 6 so long ago cost the St. Louis Cardinals a chance to clinch the 1985 World Series against Kansas City.

Penny, Cards close to deal

Indianapolis — Brad Penny’s late-season pitch seems to have paid off. Fresh from an impressive showing in the final month, Penny reached a tentative agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals on a $7.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press on Monday night.

Pirates’ prices same as ’02

Pittsburgh — For an eighth consecutive season, the Pittsburgh Pirates won’t raise season-ticket prices — the longest such stretch without a hike in the major leagues.

The Pirates haven’t boosted season-ticket prices since a much-criticized increase following their 100-loss season in 2001. One plan for 2010 offers a full 81-game package for $399, an average of $4.93 per game.

NHL

Detroit veteran retires

Toronto — Darren McCarty, a veteran of 15 NHL seasons who won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, officially announced his retirement Monday. The 37-year-old McCarty spent 13 seasons with the Red Wings.

men’s college basketball

AP’s top three stay put

Kansas, Texas and Villanova held the top three spots in the Associated Press college basketball poll for the second straight week Monday. For the third consecutive week at least three teams moved into the Top 25.

Wisconsin, which moved in at No. 20, and No. 23 Texas Tech, No. 24 Georgia Tech and No. 25 Mississippi moved into the rankings this week. They replaced Clemson, Louisville, Florida State and Portland.

Women’s college basketball

Terps re-appear in poll

After being a stalwart in the Top 25 over the past five years, Maryland made its first appearance of the season in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll. The Terrapins entered at No. 25 on Monday while Connecticut remained the unanimous No. 1 for the 20th consecutive poll.

NBA

Knicks to play in Italy

New York — Two people with knowledge of the team’s plans say the New York Knicks will travel to Italy next fall and play at least one exhibition game in Milan.

steroids

Prescribing doc sentenced

San Jose, Calif. — A former medical doctor who admitted illegally prescribing performance-enhancing drugs to elite athletes has been sentenced to six months of home arrest and two years of probation.

Ramon Scruggs was sentenced by a federal judge Monday after pleading guilty in June to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering. Federal officials say former Major League Baseball players Scott Schoeneweis and Troy Glaus were among the athletes that Scruggs prescribed performance-enhancing drugs for.