The school hired the former Michigan star quarterback Tuesday, just two days after he left his job at coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Husky voiced and grinning, Harbaugh called it a "homecoming" for himself and his family.

"Throughout my life I have dreamed of coaching at the University of Michigan," Harbaugh said in a statement moments before he was introduced at a packed news conference. "Now I have the honor to live it.

The 51-year-old Harbaugh coached the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games. San Francisco lost the 2013 Super Bowl to a Baltimore Ravens team coached by his brother, John. After the 49ers slipped to 8-8 this season and missed the playoffs, he parted ways with the team Sunday in what both sides called a mutual decision.

Now his name is the buzz of the Big Ten.

"He's basically Michigan royalty right now," said former Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson, now a Jacksonville Jaguars running back. "He's the man right now. I think he's going to do a great job and help out recruiting. He's had success at every school he went to. I think it's a great fit for Michigan."

An expensive one, too, with media reports saying Michigan offered Harbaugh $48 million over six years. Interim athletic director Jim Hackett said Harbaugh had signed a seven-year deal, but didn't immediately disclose full details.

"Out guy came home," Hackett said.

Big Ten Network analyst and former college coach Gerry DiNardo said Michigan, the only school with more than 900 all-time wins, would be bringing in a "rock star" capable of returning the Wolverines to elite status in a short time.

"This gives Michigan a chance to catch up," DiNardo said.

Still, Michigan's new coach has his work cut out for him in a Big Ten East Division that's only getting tougher.

Meyer is preparing the Buckeyes for this week's semifinal against Alabama in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Michigan State's Mark Dantonio has built a program that has staying power. Penn State's James Franklin is a celebrated recruiter who looks to have the Nittany Lions on the rise.

Under Brady Hoke, Michigan dipped to 5-7 this season and was among only four Big Teams to not earn a bowl bid. The Wolverines were 31-20 in Hoke's four seasons and declined steadily after an 11-2 mark in his first year.

Harbaugh went 58-27 overall as a college coach at San Diego and Stanford, including a 29-21 record in four seasons with the Cardinal. He took over a 1-11 team when he was hired in December 2006 and quickly turned the program back into a winner and bowl contender.

Harbaugh's first Stanford team went 4-8 in a season highlighted by a 24-23 win over No. 1 Southern California, a game in which the Cardinal was a 41-point underdog. Stanford was 5-7 the following season, then improved to 8-5 and earned a Sun Bowl berth in 2009 — the school's first bowl appearance since 2001. They won the Orange Bowl with quarterback Andrew Luck his final season.

The 49ers hired Harbaugh four days after the bowl, and he went 44-19-1 with two NFC West titles in four seasons.

Harbaugh is now being looked to as the coach who can finally return Michigan to prominence.

"I think it gives the Big Ten great credibility," said Lou Holtz, the former coach and an ESPN analyst. "I've always felt the real evaluation of a conference is strength of coaches. When you look at the SEC, there's Nick Saban, there was Urban Meyer (at Florida), Steve Spurrier, Mark Richt, Les Miles. Now in the Big Ten you've got an Urban Meyer, a Jim Harbaugh, a Mark Dantonio."

Harbaugh's leadership showed up during his playing days in Ann Arbor. The starting quarterback for three seasons under Schembechler, he is well remembered for delivering a victory he guaranteed over Ohio State in 1986, the same season he was Big Ten player of the year and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting.

He played 15 years in the NFL, earning the nickname "Captain Comeback" for leading fourth-quarter playoff rallies for the Indianapolis Colts. Harbaugh later coached quarterbacks for the Oakland Raiders in 2002-03 before returning to the college ranks.

DiNardo, whose coaching resume includes stops at LSU, Indiana and Vanderbilt, said he doubted Harbaugh would have taken the job if he weren't promised to have full autonomy in running the program.

"You don't pay someone millions of dollars and tell him what jersey number the quarterback should wear," DiNardo said. "This coach has to be left alone, whether that's the size of the recruiting staff or facilities or non-conference schedule. All those decisions have to be Jim Harbaugh's. No one told Bo Schembechler what to do. He sees the big picture."

AP

This rookie just may be called up from the American Hockey League after catching everyone's attention in an impressive debut.

Sorry, though, it's not the next Sidney Crosby, but a new overtime rule that should allow players like Crosby to showcase their skills even more with the game on the line.

The minor-league organization has long been the place to experiment with new directives, just to see how well they work — or don't work — before the NHL takes a look. Some (oversized blue lines) weren't popular. Others (not being able to change players after an icing call) have been promoted.

The new OT rule possibly could be coming soon to an NHL rink near you.

"It's certainly entertaining for fans and a lot of fun to watch," said David Andrews, the president and CEO of the AHL for the last 21 years.

Currently, the NHL uses a 4-on-4 OT model for five minutes. If no one scores, then it goes to a shootout.

But here's how the extra period works on the AHL level: It's seven minutes long — or until someone scores, of course — with the opening three minutes 4-on-4. Then, after the next whistle, it switches to 3-on-3 for the last four, leading to lots of room for creativity and scoring chances. If that doesn't decide things, it goes to a shootout, a concept that drives many a coach bonkers since it's almost like a skills competition.

That's the thing, though. This new overtime system has cut down significantly on shootouts.

Last year, the AHL had 65 percent of its OT games decided in a shootout, Andrews said. This season, it's shrunk to 25 percent.

Even more, of the 99 overtime games so far, 35 of them have been decided in 3-on-3 action.

Initially hesitant over the newfangled OT ordinance, Roy Sommer, the coach of the AHL Worcester Sharks, has warmed up to the idea. He thinks it would be a big hit with fans and players on the next level.

"If you put your three best NHL players against each other with all that ice and creativity, man, it would be something to watch," said Sommer, one of the all-time winningest AHL coaches. "I know I wouldn't leave."

As for when — or even if — this version of overtime arrives at the NHL level, that's hard to predict. In a statement, the NHL's hockey operations branch said the league follows "the American Hockey League and other leagues closely. ... We're always interested in ways to make an already great game better."

Colorado and Toronto had a 3-on-3 situation in overtime earlier this season after both teams drew penalties. It was riveting as players raced from end-to-end, unable to risk heading to the bench for fear of an odd-man rush going the other way.

"If we did this, there's no way games would go to a shootout," Colorado forward Matt Duchene said. "As much as shootouts are fun to watch, I'm not a big fan of them, because it stinks to finish a game on a non-hockey play.

"But I'd love to see overtime 4-on-4 and then 3-on-3, because it would be amazing."

Chris Wideman can attest to that. The defenseman for the Binghamton Senators has scored two of his 12 goals in overtime this season — one in 3-on-3 and the other on a 4-on-3 power play.

"Lots of odd-man rushes, breakaways," explained Wideman, who's in his third season with the minor-league affiliate of Ottawa. "From the pure entertainment side, you can't beat it. As far as for the players, it's a lot of fun for us. It gives you a chance to show off a little skill."

One possible downside? More ice time for players, which could take its toll over an already grueling regular season.

NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk wouldn't mind seeing something similar to college football's overtime rules. His suggestion is this: One team receives a 4-on-3 power play for two minutes and if it scores, then the opponent gets its chance. The one that stops the other wins.

"If we're trying to get away from the shootout, there are ways of trying to do that," said Olczyk, a former NHL player and coach.

Hey, maybe another test idea for the AHL. But the minor-league outfit isn't just a petri dish for the NHL. A lot of times, it's the AHL that institutes a rule that causes the NHL to take notice and later implement, like the delay penalty for flipping a puck over the glass in the defensive end. Or the trapezoid area behind the goal.

Or, maybe soon, this new OT rule.

"The fans love the shootout," Avs defenseman Erik Johnson said. "But they'd LOVE 3-on-3 in overtime."

AP

With everything on the line, the Bengals picked off Peyton Manning in the closing minutes — twice, no less — and ran themselves right back into the playoffs.

One breakthrough win gave them a chance for another.

Dre Kirkpatrick returned Manning's third interception of the game for a touchdown  

in the closing minutes on Monday night, completing a rain-soaked rally for a 37-28 victory over the Denver Broncos and a spot in the playoffs.

The Bengals (10-4-1) secured a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season, a franchise record. They'll play in Pittsburgh next Sunday night, with the winner taking the AFC North title.

And then, Cincinnati will get yet another chance to break one of the longest playoff droughts in NFL history — no postseason victory since the 1990 season. First, they go to Pittsburgh to determine when and where they'll play.

"Well, we have another hump day next week," coach Marvin Lewis said.

Kirkpatrick's 30-yard return with 2:41 left capped a game of big plays — long runs, big kick returns and two interceptions run back for scores. With 67 seconds left, Kirkpatrick picked off Manning again to clinch it.

"I'm not saying I knew he was going to do that," Kirkpatrick said. "The guy changes plays. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer. When he came back to my side, I was waiting for the ball."

Manning rallied the Broncos (11-4) to three touchdowns in the third quarter and a lead, but finished with a season-high four interceptions. The loss handed New England home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"I shouldn't have thrown it," said Manning, who was 28 of 44 for 311 yards with two touchdowns. "Four interceptions, you're not going to beat many good football teams."

The AFC West champions failed in their attempt to clinch a first-round bye and came away with more questions about Manning, who was limited in practice during the week because of a strained right thigh.

Denver scored 21 points in the third quarter, with Manning throwing a pair of touchdowns to Emmanuel Sanders. With a chance to pull off his 51st game-winning drive in a heavy rain, Manning threw a sideline pass directly to Kirkpatrick, who ran it back untouched.

Manning had been 8-0 career against the Bengals with 20 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. He nearly matched that total in one game.

Demaryius Thomas had seven catches for 115 yards, setting a club record with his ninth 100-yard game of the season.

Andy Dalton settled down after a huge early mistake — an overthrown pass that Aqib Talib returned for a touchdown — and rookie Jeremy Hill led a dominating running game that finished with 207 yards overall. Hill had an 85-yard touchdown run with 147 overall, going over 1,000 for the season.

Hill played a starring role in the Bengals' playoff drive.

"I know a lot of guys are never fortunate enough to make the playoffs," said Hill, a second-round pick from LSU. "In college, I wanted to play for a national championship but never got the chance."

The Monday night win was a breakthrough for the Bengals, who had been blown out in their two prime-time games this season and came in 18-41 all-time at night. They have one more left in Pittsburgh next Sunday.

The dominant running game immensely helped Dalton, who is 3-6 all-time in prime time. He started badly again on Monday, overthrowing A.J. Green for an interception that Talib returned 33 yards for a touchdown. Dalton finished 17 of 26 for 146 yards with two touchdowns and the one interception.

"You can't let one bad play hurt you more than just that one bad play," Dalton said.

Green was hit in the right upper arm on the interception and was in and out of the game the rest of the way. He was held without a catch for only the second time in his career.

NOTES: Broncos safety T.J. Ward left in the fourth quarter with a neck injury. He'll be reevaluated in Denver. ... C.J. Anderson ran for 83 yards, also putting him over 1,000 for the season. ... Thomas joined Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice as the only players with three straight seasons of 1,400 yards receiving and 10 touchdown catches. ... Eric Winston made his first start at right tackle for the Bengals, who signed him Dec. 2. ... Hill is the third rookie in NFL history with four games of at least 140 yards rushing, joining Eric Dickerson (1983) and Curtis Martin (1995), according to STATS.

AP

The Super Bowl will be played in the same stadium where the Seahawks dominated the Cardinals 35-6 on Sunday night.

"I had a freaking blast tonight," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

Seattle won its fifth in a row with a record-breaking offensive performance and a stifling defensive effort.

"Our offensive line did a great job and it gave me time to make the throws and make the plays. Guys caught the ball extremely well tonight. They kept playing football for me," quarterback Russell Wilson said. "The effort was so high and then you think about the defense. The defense was lights out and the plays they were able to make, the short field they were able to give us, it was a complete team effort."

Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Marshawn Lynch ran for two scores, one of them a tackle-breaking 79-yard run that helped turn the game into a blowout in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks amassed a franchise record 596 yards.

"We have been playing so well all year and to have that performance tonight, it's embarrassing," Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said.

The victory moved Seattle (11-4) into a tie with Arizona (11-4) atop the NFC West, with the Seahawks holding the tiebreaker because they beat the Cardinals twice.

If Seattle wins at home against St. Louis next weekend, the Seahawks will clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC and play at home throughout the playoffs — until that Super Bowl trip to Arizona.

"The attitude that we're playing with, it gives us a chance to really have high hopes going into that last game," Carroll said.

The Cardinals still have hopes for the division title, but the Seahawks would have to lose to the Rams while Arizona won at San Francisco.

"We need a little help but we're in there," Cardinals linebacker Larry Foote said.

Here are things to note in Seattle's one-sided victory in Arizona:

WILSON TO WILLSON: Both of Wilson's touchdown passes went to tight end Luke Willson. The first was a gorgeous long one into Willson's fingertips in an 80-yard play that matched the longest of Wilson's career.

"I'm a tight end, but I always take a lot of pride when I'm in the open field not getting caught," Willson said. "One of those guys kind of got to my ankles there, that would've been a little embarrassing. I was pretty happy with the way it ended up."

Wilson also had a 55-yard run that was the longest of his career.

LYNCH THE SHOWMAN: Marshawn Lynch had a remarkable 79-yard touchdown run that featured him running over a couple of would-be tacklers and breaking away from a couple of others.

"If you love football, it's got to be one of the best runs of all time," Wilson said. "He's had one before I believe, in Seahawks history, so to watch that one was pretty cool."

When he made it to the end zone, Lynch spun around in mid-air and briefly grabbed his crotch. The display didn't bother veteran Arizona linebacker Larry Foote.

"They can do whatever they want when they're winning," Foote said. "It's our job to stop them from getting in the end zone. He did a good job of getting in there."

Of course, Lynch wasn't saying much of anything.

When asked about the run, he said, "Thanks for asking."

He said the same thing to every other question.

Lynch sat out the first quarter with an upset stomach.

WHAT DEFENSE?: The Cardinals had counted on their defense to keep this a low-scoring game, but the Seahawks ripped off big play after big play. The 591 yards were the most Arizona has allowed this season.

The 29-point difference was the largest in Arians' two seasons in Arizona.

"That's humbling especially how well we played them the first time up in their place," To do that in prime time, that is not good."

LINDLEY'S STRUGGLES: With starter Carson Palmer out for the season and backup Drew Stanton sidelined with a sprained knee, the Cardinals turned to Ryan Lindley, who struggled mightily against the league's No. 1-ranked defense.

"I think there were certain things that we did that we didn't take full advantage of what we thought we could schematically do against them. That's a lot on me," Lindley said.

Lindley completed 18 of 44 passes for 216 yards with one interception.

He already held the NFL record for most passes without a touchdown. Now that number has grown to 225.

LOSING AT HOME: The Cardinals lost at home for the first time in eight games this season. They are 13-3 at home since Arians became coach. Two of those losses were to Seattle.

AP

 Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he's awaiting final clearance from team physicians before officially naming Cam Newton the starter for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

That clearance is expected to come Saturday.

The fourth-year quarterback practiced Friday for the third straight day and Rivera says he feels "very confident and comfortable" that Newton will start Sunday, 12 days after a two-vehicle wreck left him with two lower back fractures.

Rivera says the only way Newton wouldn't play is if he suffers an unforeseen setback this weekend, but added the quarterback "has had no ill affects every morning" this week.

Newton said Thursday he feels pain-free.

The Panthers (5-8-1) are still in contention in the NFC South, one-half game behind the New Orleans Saints with two games remaining.

AP

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have been named 2014 World Champions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The annual award takes in performances on the regular Tour and grand slams.

Wimbledon champion Djokovic takes the men's prize for the fourth time having won seven titles this season and the year-end top ranking for the third time in four years.

Williams wins the award for the fifth time in a career which has brought her 18 grand slam singles titles -- the most recent at this year's U.S. Open.

"I'm so honored to be named ITF World Champion for the fifth time. This was a year of challenges and triumphs, so to win another Grand Slam and retain my year-end No. 1 ranking is an accomplishment I'm very proud of," she said.

"I'm grateful to have the support of the tennis community in every way possible. I can't wait for 2015."

Americans Bob and Mike Bryan were named ITF men's doubles champions while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy won the women's honor.

Reuters

FIFA's executive committee began a two-day meeting amid tight security on Thursday with members expected to vote on whether to release ethics investigator Michael Garcia's report into the turbulent bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The meeting, at a luxury Marrakech hotel where even the grounds were off limits to the 

public, began the day after Garcia quit in protest at the handling of his investigation into the process which led to the 2018 World Cup being awarded to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar in December 2010.

Sources close to the FIFA leadership suggested the vote could be closer than expected and that more committee members might be moved to vote in favor of the release of a redacted version of Garcia's report as public pressure on them grows.

The meeting will be addressed by Domenico Scala, head of FIFA's audit and compliance committee and one of six people to have seen Garcia's report.

FIFA Exco members who have publicly called for the report to be published in full include Jim Boyce, Jeffrey Webb, Moya Doidd, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and UEFA president Michel Platini.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter could play a crucial role in swaying some of the undecided members on the 27-man committee to vote one way or another, sources at world soccer's governing body said.

FIFA's ability to police itself, after a wave of corruption scandals, has been repeatedly questioned and Garcia, a former U.S. prosecutor, had been seen as one of the people most capable of exposing any wrongdoing.

ZWANZIGER PROPOSAL

Germany's executive committee member Theo Zwanziger has made the proposal for the report to be released in full, although to do so FIFA would first have to alter its code of ethics, where article 36 currently limits what can be published.

The article states that "only the final decisions already notified to the addressees may be made public."

It adds that "in the event of a breach of this article by a member of the ethics committee, the relevant member shall be suspended by the FIFA disciplinary committee until the next FIFA Congress."

It also states that "the members of the ethics committee and the members of the secretariats shall ensure that everything disclosed to them during the course of their duty remains confidential, in particular, facts of the case, contents of the investigations and deliberations and decisions taken as well as private personal data."

Another major issue is the protection of the identity of the 75 witnesses who gave evidence to Garcia, although FIFA critics say this can easily be done by carefully redacting the report.

So far, only a 42-page statement from ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert has been made public and, although this identified problematic and inappropriate conduct by a number of candidates, it stopped short of calling for the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to be reopened.

Garcia said Eckert's statement contained misrepresentations and lodged a complaint with FIFA's appeals committee. This was rejected on Tuesday and Garcia quit 24 hours later.

His resignation was a blow for Blatter who has touted the new-look ethics committee as the pillar of his reform process to make FIFA more transparent and less susceptible to corruption.

Reuters

 However many blips and bumps Arsenal endures through the season one outcome is a constant: finishing in the Premier League's top four.

Arsenal has spent 17 consecutive seasons among the elite, ensuring itself of a place in the Champions League year after year. Fans might be frustrated by the shortage of

silverware, but it's a level of predictable consistency Liverpool would accept now.

When Brendan Rodgers steered Liverpool back into the Champions League in May after a five-year absence, the club hoped it would be the start of a revival. Instead the surprise runner-up finish in the Premier League seems increasingly just that — a surprise. And probably a one-off, for now.

Preparing to host Arsenal on Sunday, Liverpool is 11th in the standings, already 18 points behind leader Chelsea after losing 3-0 at Manchester United last weekend. Arsenal is only sixth, but the London club is five points in front of Liverpool and just two from fourth place.

For two clubs with aspirations above their current status, Arsenal appears to be only one equipped to achieve much this season. Rodgers, though, is putting a brave face on Liverpool's struggles.

"Despite the result at Old Trafford, I saw moments in our game that I thought were good," Rodgers said. "We created a lot of chances, so I can certainly see signs of us getting back to where we were. We know there's a way to go.

"I think slowly we're getting there ... there are a lot of players adapting."

And there are players out injured still — including striker Daniel Sturridge — which is adding to the loss felt by Luis Suarez joining Barcelona in July.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott could return, though, at Anfield on Sunday. The 25-year-old Walcott, who has made only two appearances this season following a long-term knee injury, is set to resume full training from a groin problem.

"He is back in training today (Thursday), but only today," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "I might take him (to Liverpool), I don't know yet until he is back to full training. Let's see."

Here is a look at some other things to look for to in round 17 of the Premier League:

AT THE TOP

Stoke has already beaten Arsenal and Manchester City this season, so a trip to Britannia Stadium could pose some problems for leader Chelsea on Monday. But a trio of wins over the last week — in the Champions League, Premier League and then League Cup — show the resilience of Jose Mourinho's side.

"This team has the potential and the quality to be one of the best in Chelsea's history if it can prove it by winning trophies," goalkeeper Petr Cech said.

City, which is three points behind Chelsea in second place, has had the week off due to its earlier League Cup elimination. Manuel Pellegrini's side can provisionally knock Chelsea off top place by beating Crystal Palace by four goals on Saturday.

Manchester United will be chasing a seventh successive victory when the third-place team plays at Aston Villa on Saturday. With each week, Louis van Gaal is banishing memories of David Moyes' dismal season in charge, and showing he can return United to the top four.

SURPRISE TEAMS

West Ham has assumed Southampton's tag as the surprise team in the top four.

Southampton has endured a disappointing month, losing four consecutive league games before being humiliated in the League Cup on Tuesday by third-tier side Sheffield United. It has another difficult match Saturday at Everton, whose manager Roberto Martinez is well aware of the south-coast side's qualities.

"They are a joy to watch and very well structured," Martinez said. "Ronald Koeman has brought some players that have adapted to our league very quickly. They are a team based an attacking football and are very talented and full of flair."

West Ham is two points ahead of Southampton in fourth and host last-place Leicester on Saturday.

"Even though they (Leicester) haven't won since Manchester United (in September) they very rarely lose by more than the odd goal," West Ham manager Sam Allardyce cautioned.

FIFA ethics investigator Michael Garcia resigned on Wednesday in protest at the way his report into the 2018/2022 World Cup bidding process was handled by Hans-Joachim Eckert, the ethics judge of soccer's governing body.

Garcia said he had lost confidence in the independence of the ethics committee's adjudicatory chamber following a statement issued by Eckert, based on Garcia's still-secret report, in November.

Former U.S. prosecutor Garcia's report examined allegations of corruption in the awards of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup turnaments to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Garcia, who formerly served as chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan, had appealed against Eckert's statement, saying it contained misrepresentations, but that appeal was ruled inadmissible by FIFA on Tuesday.

"It now appears that, at least for the foreseeable future, the Eckert Decision will stand as the final word on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process," Garcia said in a statement.

"While the Appeal Committee’s decision notes that further appeal may be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I have concluded that such a course of action would not be practicable in this case.

"No independent governance committee, investigator, or arbitration panel can change the culture of an organization.

"And while the November 13, 2014, Eckert Decision made me lose confidence in the independence of the Adjudicatory Chamber, it is the lack of leadership on these issues within FIFA that leads me to conclude that my role in this process is at an end."

Eckert's statement recommended that there was not enough evidence to justify reopening the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

Garcia, appointed in 2012, said he felt that initially the ethics committee was making progress.

"For the first two years after my July 2012 appointment as independent Chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee’s Investigatory Chamber, I felt that the Ethics Committee was making real progress in advancing ethics enforcement at FIFA," he said. "In recent months, that changed."

FIFA's Executive Committee is meeting in Marrakech, which is hosting the Club World Club, this week.

Reuters

The College Football Playoff participants are well represented on The Associated Press All-America team.

Florida State leads the way with three first-team All-Americans: tight end Nick O'Leary, guard Tre Jackson and kicker Roberto Aguayo, who is an All-American for the second straight season.

Oregon and Alabama each have two, including a couple of Heisman Trophy finalists.

Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is the first Ducks quarterback to be an All-American. He is joined by Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

The second-seeded Ducks will play third-seeded Florida State on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.

Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper, third in the Heisman voting, made the first team along with his teammate, safety Landon Collins. The top-ranked Tide will face fourth-seeded Ohio State and All-America defensive end Joey Bosa on New Year's Day in the Sugar Bowl.

Florida State also had the most players on the three All-America teams with six. Receiver Rashad Greene and safety Jalen Ramsey made the second team and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman was a third-team selection.

Here are some things to know about the 89th AP All-America team.

SHAQ ATTACK

Washington's Shaq Thompson played both offense and defense this season and excelled both ways, making him the perfect guy to be the first-team all-purpose player.

Thompson scored six touchdowns, three by fumble return, two rushing and one by interception return. He has 456 yards rushing and is averaging 7.5 per carry. He also has 71 tackles, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

The Huskies joined Florida State as the only teams with three players on the first team. Washington also was represented by defensive tackle Danny Shelton and linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha, who leads the nation in sacks with 18.

KICKING IT

Aguayo is the first kicker to be a two-time All-American since Ohio State's Mike Nugent, though Nugent did not make the first team in consecutive seasons like the Seminoles' star.

Nugent was a first-team selection in 2002 and again in 2004.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF ALL-AMERICAN

A couple of traditional basketball powers were represented on the All-America team for the first time in a while.

Duke guard Laken Tomlinson became the first Blue Devils player selected AP All-American since receiver Clarkston Hines made the first team in 1989.

Indiana running back Tevin Coleman is the first Hoosiers player to be an All-American since running back Vaughn Dunbar was a firstr-teamer in 1991.

CONFERENCE CALL

The Pac-12 led the way with seven players on the first team, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with six.

The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten each had four players chosen to the first team. The Big 12 had three. The lone player from outside the Big Five conferences to make the first team was Colorado State receiver Rashard Higgins.

QUICK HITS

— Alabama guard Arie Kouandjio was a second-team selection. His brother Cyrus, who played tackle at Alabama and is now in the NFL, was an All-American last season.

— The only freshman to make any of the three teams were Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, a redshirt freshman, and Oklahoma running Samaje Perine, who both made the third team.

— This is the third straight year Ekpre-Olomu has received All-America honors. He made the third team as a sophomore and a junior before moving to the first team this season.

— UAB, which shuttered its football program after it finished the season, has a representative on the All-America teams. Receiver J.J. Nelson was selected to the third team as an all-purpose player. Nelson is 10th in the nation in all-purpose yards and leads the country in kickoff return average at 38.3 yards, with four touchdowns.

AP