Palmer Gets Thrown for Loss on National TV

Carson Palmer is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, but USC’s senior quarterback was a spectator Thursday night in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

He sat in the audience as other Heisman finalists made their way to the stage to collect awards in front of a national television audience.

Iowa quarterback Brad Banks was selected over Palmer and Ken Dorsey of Miami for the Davey O’Brien Award, presented annually to the nation’s top quarterback. Banks also was named to the Walter Camp All-America team.

Penn State running back Larry Johnson won the Maxwell Award as the top player and the Doak Walker Award as top running back. Dorsey and running back Willis McGahee also joined Banks and Johnson on the All-America team.

Palmer said it was not frustrating to watch other Heisman finalists collect various trophies.

“I was just happy to be here and be a part of the whole thing,” he said. “It was fun to meet everyone up close and get to know them.”

Thursday’s announcements will have no impact on the Heisman voting because Wednesday was the deadline to submit ballots. But they furthered the notion that this year’s Heisman race could be one of the closest in history.

Palmer will travel to Louisville, Ky., today to receive the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top senior quarterback.

Then it’s on to New York, where Banks, Dorsey, Johnson and McGahee will join him for the Heisman Trophy announcement in another national telecast.

“I’m still excited about going out [to New York] and being a part of the deal,” he said.

USC safety Troy Polamalu was a finalist for the Thorpe Award, won by Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman. Polamalu was selected to the Camp All-America team.

Other awards presented Thursday:

Outland Trophy (lineman): Rien Long, Washington State; Ray Guy Award (punter): Mark Mariscal, Colorado; Biletnikoff Award (receiver): Charles Rogers, Michigan State; Coach of the Year: Tyrone Willingham, Notre Dame; Chuck Bednarik Trophy (defensive player): E.J. Henderson, Maryland