Palmer Named MVP

Still basking in the glow of its selection to the Orange Bowl, USC held its annual awards banquet Monday night at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, an event that also kicked off Carson Palmer’s postseason tour.

Palmer, an All-American who became the Pacific 10 Conference’s all-time passing leader in leading the Trojans to a 10-2 record, was selected by teammates as the Trojans’ most valuable player.

Palmer and safety Troy Polamalu leave today for Orlando, Fla., where they will take part in Wednesday’s announcements of several national awards. Palmer is a finalist for the Davey O’Brien award as college football’s top quarterback and the Walter Camp award as top player.

Polamalu is a finalist for the Thorpe Award as best defensive back.

On Friday, Palmer will be in Louisville, Ky., to receive the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top senior quarterback. Then, it’s on to New York for the Heisman Trophy announcement on Saturday.

“I’m excited. It should be fun,” said Palmer, who on Monday finished second behind Iowa quarterback Brad Banks in voting for Associated Press player of the year.

Polamalu, who was selected All-America for the second consecutive year, was chosen by teammates as the Trojans’ most inspirational player. Polamalu suffered a high ankle sprain against Washington State on Oct. 5 but missed only one game.

In team awards selected by coaches, senior guard Zach Wilson was offensive lineman of the year, sophomore end Kenechi Udeze was best defensive lineman and senior cornerback Darrell Rideaux was best special teams player. *

The two players happiest about USC’s Orange Bowl date against Iowa are freshman wide receiver Mike Williams and freshman safety Mike Ross.

Williams is from Tampa, Fla., Ross from St. Petersburg, Fla.

“I keep telling the other players that I’ve only been to Miami twice,” said Ross, who received the team’s John McKay Award, presented to the underclassman with the most competitive spirit. “I’m not an expert on all the places to go, but we’re going to have a good time.”

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Offensive coordinator Norm Chow said he has not been contacted by Utah to formally interview for the Utes’ head coaching position.... Freshman linebacker Oscar Lua said he will have surgery on Dec. 24 to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.