COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Faulk Opts for NFL Over Senior Year

Marshall Faulk, the two-time All American running back who put San Diego State on the college football map, announced Tuesday that he is giving up his final year of eligibility to make himself available for the NFL draft.

Faulk said at a news conference that he made up his mind three or four days ago.

“I came to a point where I felt like I wanted to come back, but with the coaching change and the year I had, I felt like it was time to go,” said Faulk, who wore a baseball cap with the inscription “B PAID.”

Faulk hinted two weeks ago he might go to the NFL if coach Al Luginbill and his staff were fired, which happened last week.

Ted Tollner, picked as the Aztecs’ new coach last Friday, met with Faulk for half an hour on Monday.

Faulk rushed for 4,589 yards, fourth in NCAA history among three-year players, and 57 touchdowns, second on the all-time NCAA list.

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Jimmy Klingler, the University of Houston’s quarterback the past two seasons, is giving up his senior year to make himself available for the NFL draft.

Klingler succeeded his brother, David--now a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals--as quarterback at Houston.

In his three years, Klingler played in 23 games, completed 428 of 754 passes for 5,243 yards, with 39 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

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Brad Scott, who helped build one of the nation’s highest scoring units as offensive coordinator at Florida State, was named head coach at South Carolina.

Scott replaces Sparky Woods, who was fired last week after a 4-7 season. Scott, 39, is in his ninth season at Florida State.

Scott said he planned to begin recruiting this week but added that he will remain with Florida State for its game against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s night, with the winner the probable national champion.

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Virginia Military, which went 1-10 this season, fired Coach Jim Shuck after five losing seasons. The Keydets were 14-40-1 under Shuck. The search for a replacement is under way.