USC kicker Danelo found dead at base of rocky cliff

~ The junior led the Trojans in scoring this season.

LOS ANGELES -- Foul play probably was not a factor in the death of Southern California kicker Mario Danelo, whose body was found about 120 feet down a rocky cliff, police said Sunday.

"It was fairly apparent that this was either an accident or suicide," said Lt. Paul Vernon.

Danelo's brother said Sunday that "it was an unfortunate accident."

"He was a good kid," Joey Danelo said during a phone interview with The Associated Press. "There was not a person I know that didn't like him."

Investigators were examining evidence recovered after Danelo's body was found Saturday afternoon near Point Fermin lighthouse in the city's San Pedro section.

While police have not completely ruled out foul play, Vernon said "there didn't appear to be a crime involved." An autopsy could be performed as early as today, coroner's officials said.

Investigators were looking into whether Danelo was out with friends Friday night. He was last seen around midnight, authorities said.

Danelo, the 21-year-old son of former NFL kicker Joe Danelo, made 15 of 16 field goals this season and led the Trojans in scoring with 89 points. The junior made two field goals in the Rose Bowl on Monday to help USC beat Michigan 32-18.

He only missed two field goals in his career, going 26-for-28, and was 127-of-134 on extra points. In 2005, he set NCAA single-season records with 83 extra points and 86 attempts.