Daniel, Maclin among finalists for awards

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, a Heisman Trophy finalist this time last year, is headed back to New York as a hopeful for what is considered the academic Heisman.

Daniel is among the 15 finalists for the Draddy Trophy, which recognizes athletes who also excel at academics and in community service. The award will be presented tonight,

"It means a lot, it really shows the academic side of it," Daniel said. "I feel good about my chances of going up there and winning it, but just to be among the top 15 players up there is something special."

All-American wide receiver Jeremy Maclin also is on the road as an award hopeful.

Maclin, a sophomore who leads the nation in all-purpose yards, is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which will be awarded Thursday in Tallahassee, Fla.

Other finalists are Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, the 2007 winner, and Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant.

Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell also is a Draddy finalist, and Daniel believed the two would be roommates.

"So many people get caught up in the football stuff, but it's the academic stuff when football runs out that you're going to have to base your life on," Daniel said.

St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard, who went to Rutgers, was the 2006 winner of the award, which features a $25,000 scholarship.

Noteworthy

* Missouri coach Gary Pinkel indicated he'd wait until after the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 against Northwestern to decide on a new offensive coordinator. Dave Christensen was hired as the Wyoming coach earlier this month, but will stay with the school through the bowl game. "We've lost one coach in the last eight years, so I'm kind of rusty at this right now," Pinkel said. "I don't really have a time frame right now, really haven't had time to think about it."

• Missouri is due to leave for San Antonio on Dec. 23, and Pinkel said practice might resume this weekend just ahead of final exams.