Palmer among
AP’s best

Hawaii guard Vince Manuwai
is named to the second team

Wave fans would get ticket, but not game
Notebook

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By Richard Rosenblatt
Associated Press

NEW YORK >> Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer has plenty of company when it comes to his latest honor -- AP All-American.

The Southern California quarterback, along with record-smashing running backs Larry Johnson of Penn State and Willis McGahee of Miami, was among 25 players selected yesterday to The Associated Press All-America team.

Ohio State, which plays top-ranked Miami for the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3, led the way with three first-teamers -- strong safety Mike Doss, linebacker Matt Wilhelm and kicker Mike Nugent.

Notre Dame cornerback Shane Walton gave the Fighting Irish their first All-American since 1993, when offensive tackle Aaron Taylor made it.

Hawaii right guard Vince Manuwai was named to the second team. The Farrington graduate is UH's first second-team All-American since return specialist Larry Khan-Smith in 1988. Defensive lineman Al Noga was Hawaii's only AP first-team All-American, in 1986.

Warriors coach June Jones said Manuwai is "the best offensive lineman that's ever played for me, pro or college."

Manuwai, who is projected to be a first- or second-round pick in the next NFL draft, was named to the first team by CNNSI.com two weeks ago.

"He probably deserved first team on this one too," Jones said.

Manuwai said he wasn't disappointed to miss the first team.

"Not really. I'm happy. I'm proud to be Coach Cav's (offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh) first All-American. Just to be considered is great, especially after not even making first-team all-conference last year, and also considering coming out of high school I didn't even think I'd be able to play at this level. It's a credit to everybody, the staff, my teammates, especially on the offensive line."

Palmer threw for 3,639 yards and 32 touchdowns in leading the fifth-ranked Trojans (10-2) to a share of the Pacific-10 title and a berth in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder set seven league and 23 school records during his senior season.

Iowa's Brad Banks, AP College Player of the Year and Heisman runner-up, was the second-team quarterback. Miami's Ken Dorsey made the third team.

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Star-Bulletin reporter Dave Reardon contributed to this report.

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