Lewis Is Selected the Top Tight End

UCLA’s Marcedes Lewis passed on the NFL to return for his senior season because he had the feeling this year would be special.

On Tuesday, Lewis was rewarded for his decision when he was selected winner of the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.

“This shows that all of the hard work has paid off, from where I was and what I’ve gone through,” said Lewis, a finalist for the award last year.

“I came [to UCLA] with high expectations and it was frustrating not being able to do the things I thought I could do. I had to keep progressing and working hard to get to where I am now.”

Lewis, 6 feet 6 and 256 pounds, established UCLA season records for tight ends by leading the team with 58 catches for 741 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lewis owns the school record for career touchdown receptions by a tight end with 21.

“This is special because I came back this year to accomplish a few things,” Lewis said. “I wanted to help lead us to the Pac-10 championship, and we fell short. But we are 9-2 and ranked. That’s been a good experience to be a part of.

“Another area was personal. I needed to work on my blocking, so I could establish myself as a dominant blocker. I knew I needed to do that in order to become a better all-around player.”

After finishing runner-up last year to Virginia’s Heath Miller, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lewis beat out Vernon Davis of Maryland and Anthony Fasano of Notre Dame.

Lewis said it was disappointing to finish the regular season with a 66-19 loss to No. 1-ranked USC, but he’s determined to make sure the Bruins are ready for his final game, against Northwestern in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 30.

“This is a big bowl game for us after going to two Las Vegas bowls and a Silicon Valley Classic,” Lewis said. “We have a chance to win 10 games and start a new bowl winning streak at UCLA. That’s not a bad way to go out.”

-- Lonnie White

USC running back Reggie Bush, receiver Dwayne Jarrett and offensive lineman Taitusi Lutui and UCLA punt returner Maurice Drew were selected to the SI.com All-America team.

The four players also were voted onto the American Football Coaches Assn. All-America team announced last week.

USC’s Mario Danelo attempted and made the most extra-points in NCAA history, the school said.

Danelo made 78 of 81 extra-point attempts. Arthur Carmody of Louisville made all 77 of his attempts in 2004.

Former USC running back Anthony Davis was among 13 College Football Hall of Fame inductees who were honored Tuesday night at an awards dinner in New York.

Davis will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame at South Bend, Ind., in August.

-- Gary Klein

Al Golden was hired as coach at Temple, replacing Bobby Wallace, who two months ago said he wouldn’t return to the school.

Golden, 36, spent the last five years as defensive coordinator at Virginia. He inherits a team that finished 0-11 this year, its first winless season on the field since 1959.

Temple was 19-71 during Wallace’s eight years as coach, and was booted out of the Big East Conference.

The Owls were outscored, 498-107, this season, and played a difficult schedule that included four teams currently ranked in the Associated Press top 25.

Temple will play an independent schedule for another season before joining the Mid-American Conference as a full football member in 2007.

Golden was the third member of Virginia’s coaching staff to leave for a head coaching position. On Monday, offensive coordinator Ron Prince accepted the job at Kansas State. Last week, associate head coach Danny Rocco left for Liberty.