Meyer Wins Top I-AA Honor

Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer, a graduate of La Mirada High, won the Walter Payton Award on Thursday night as the top offensive player in Division I-AA.

Meyer threw for 3,616 yards in the regular season, including 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He led the Eagles to the Big Sky Conference’s automatic berth in the playoffs.

Cal Poly defensive end Chris Gocong, a graduate of Carpenteria High, won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in I-AA. He had 19 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss, 79 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The awards were presented in Chattanooga, Tenn., in advance of tonight’s I-AA title game between Appalachian State (11-3) and Northern Iowa (11-3). It is the first title game appearance for both teams.

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Boise State Coach Dan Hawkins said he’ll go to Colorado to finalize negotiations to become the Buffaloes’ new coach.

The Colorado Board of Regents is scheduled to meet today to approve Hawkins’ contract. If that goes as expected, Hawkins could be introduced as the replacement for Gary Barnett later in the day.

Boise State officials did not indicate who would be a contender for Hawkins’ position, should he leave.

Several players said they expect offensive coordinator Chris Petersen to be his successor.

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Former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill was hired as Buffalo’s coach, taking over a program that has never had a winning season at the I-A level.... San Diego Coach Jim Harbaugh pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. Harbaugh was stopped early on Oct. 30 in Encinitas after allegedly running a stop sign. According to court documents, Harbaugh refused to take a field sobriety test after he was pulled over.... Central Florida is set to build a $51 million stadium. The school’s board of trustees approved a financial plan for the 45,000-seat stadium, which could open for the 2007 season.