Associated Press Honors UCLA’s McNown, Farris and USC’s Claiborne

UCLA quarterback Cade McNown and offensive lineman Kris Farris along with USC linebacker Chris Claiborne were named to the Associated Press’ All-America team on Tuesday.

McNown led the Bruins on a 20-game winning streak before their national title hopes ended with a loss to Miami. The left-hander threw for 3,130 yards and 23 touchdowns and set nearly every school single-season and career record.

Even in defeat, McNown was spectacular, throwing for a school-record 513 yards, with five touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown, in the 49-45 loss to the Hurricanes. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Farris, the winner of the Outland Trophy, is joined on the line by Craig Page of Georgia Tech, Aaron Gibson of Wisconsin, Rob Murphy of Ohio State and Matt Stinchcomb of Georgia.

Claiborne, the Butkus Award winner, led the Trojans with 107 tackles, five sacks and six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He is joined at linebacker by Dat Nguyen of Texas A&M.;

Heisman winner Ricky Williams, college football’s career rushing leader, was the only repeater from last year’s team. He finished his career with 6,279 yards, breaking Tony Dorsett’s rushing record.

Florida State had three players on the team, the most by any school, with wide receiver Peter Warrick, kicker Sebastian Janikowski and noseguard Corey Simon.

The Atlantic Coast Conference was the top league, placing six players on the team, which had 16 seniors, eight juniors and two sophomores.