Tim Tebow added another Heisman first to his long list of accomplishments just by being selected a finalist for this year's trophy.

Tebow became the first player to be invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation ceremony three times when the Florida quarterback — along with Colt McCoy, Mark Ingram, Toby Gerhart and Ndamukong Suh — was named a finalist yesterday for college football's most prestigious player of the year award.

"Having the chance to go back to New York means a lot to me," Tebow said in a statement. "It is a special honor but it wouldn't be possible for me to have this opportunity without my teammates and coaches."

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded Saturday in Manhattan.

Tebow, who was the first sophomore to win the Heisman in 2007, is trying to become the second two-time Heisman winner, joining Ohio State tailback Archie Griffin. Tebow finished third in the voting last year.

Tebow has passed for 2,413 yards and rushed for 859 yards this year.

Texas' McCoy has passed for 3,512 yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.

Ingram has rushed for 1,542 yards and scored 15 touchdowns for No. 1 Alabama.

Stanford's Gerhart, meanwhile, has run for more yards (1,736) and scored more touchdowns (26) than any player in the nation.

Nebraska's Suh had 4 1/2 sacks in an attention-grabbing performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game. Suh, a defensive tackle, won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy yesterday as the nation's top defensive player.

He is the first defensive player to be a finalist since 1997, when Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson became the first full-time defensive player to win the Heisman.

NOTRE DAME

CINCINNATI COACH KELLY INTERESTED IN POSITION

Coach Brian Kelly confirmed yesterday that he will meet with Notre Dame officials about their open job, leaving fourth-ranked Cincinnati with a lot of uncertainty heading into its first Sugar Bowl appearance.

Kelly met with his players yesterday afternoon, and confirmed his interest in the Notre Dame job on his Twitter feed.

"Just informed our team that Notre Dame has contacted me and I will listen to what they have to say," he tweeted.

The New York Times reported yesterday that Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh also is being interviewed for the job as Charlie Weis' successor.

QB CLAUSEN, RECEIVER TATE WILL ENTER NFL DRAFT

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and his favorite receiver, Golden Tate, will bypass their senior seasons at Notre Dame and enter the NFL draft.

They made their decisions after talking to fired Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on Friday.

Clausen was 289 of 425 passing for 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns this year with four interceptions. He averaged 310 yards a game passing.

Tate had 93 catches for 1,496 yards with 15 receiving TDs and two rushing TDs and a punt return for a touchdown this season.

ELSEWHERE

Kansas: The Buffalo athletic department confirmed yesterday that the school had granted Kansas permission to interview coach Turner Gill regarding its vacant coaching position.

Buffalo spokesman Paul Vecchio said he did not know whether the two parties had spoken.

Kansas is searching for a new coach after Mark Mangino resigned Thursday in the wake of an investigation into his treatment of players.

Stanford: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck had surgery on a finger on his right hand and could miss the Cardinal's first bowl game in eight years.

The school said Luck hurt the finger in the season finale against Notre Dame on Nov. 28. Luck will miss two to three weeks of practice.

Luck could be back to play in the Sun Bowl against Oklahoma on Dec. 31.