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 The Florida quarterback beat out fellow Heisman finalist Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's best all-round player, at the college football awards show held at the Walt Disney World Resort.
"I just want to thank my teammates and all the seniors back in Gainesville," Tebow said. "I'm just glad to be a Gator."
Tebow, the first player in major college football to run for at least 20 touchdowns and throw for at least 20, is considered the favorite for the Heisman and is trying to become the first underclassmen to win the award.
The Maxwell used to be considered a good barometer for predicting who would win the Heisman, but none of the last seven Maxwell winners have gone on to win college football's most prestigious individual award.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn won the Maxwell last season and finished third in the Heisman voting behind Ohio State's Troy Smith and McFadden.
The other Heisman finalists who will be in New York on Saturday night for the award ceremony are Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan.
Tebow beat out Daniel and Dixon for the O'Brien award, given to the nation's top quarterback.
McFadden won the Doak Walker Award for best running back for the second consecutive season. Ricky Williams of Texas was the last player to win back-to-back Walker awards in 1997-98. McFadden ran for 1,725 yards and had 2,172 all-purpose yards, breaking the school records he set last year.
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Penn State linebacker Dan Connor won the Bednarik Trophy as the nation's best defensive player, making it three straight and four overall for the Nittany Lions. Linebacker Paul Posluszny won the Bednarik the past two seasons and linebacker LaVar Arrington won it in 1999.
"It's the reason I went to Penn State because it's Linebacker U.," said Connor, who beat out LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis.
Dorsey won the Outland Trophy as college football's best interior lineman. The senior had already won the Lombardi Award (outstanding lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (outstanding defensive player).
Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree became the first freshman to win the Biletnikoff Award, given to the top receiver. Crabtree leads the nation with 125 catches and 1,861 yards receiving.
Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back, Thomas Weber of Arizona State took the Lou Groza Award for best kicker, and Georgia Tech's Durrant Brooks won the Ray Guy Award as the best punter.
The coach of the year was Kansas' Mark Mangino, who led the Jayhawks to a school-record 11 victories and their first Bowl Championship Series appearance.
[Associated Press]
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