McNown Shares the Glory

Quarterback Cade McNown Monday was named the Pacific 10 co-offensive player of the year and six other Bruins were selected first team all-conference at their respective positions.

The decision by coaches to have the UCLA quarterback join Oregon’s Akili Smith for the top individual honor was a nod to McNown’s leadership and big-play ability and may have emerged after lobbying by Bob Toledo to emphasize the importance of that in the 20-game winning streak. It came in the same season, after all, in which Smith threw for the third-most touchdowns and the fourth-most yards in Pac-10 history.

Flanker Danny Farmer, tight end Mike Grieb and linemen Kris Farris and Andy Meyers were also named to the first-team offense. Safety Larry Atkins and linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo were named to the first-team defense.

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Ayanbadejo has offered an indirect, but public, apology to USC quarterback Carson Palmer, saying he regretted making some harsh comments about Palmer after the Nov. 21 game. The UCLA linebacker said he has not spoken to Palmer, but may send a letter to the Trojan athletic department to say he regrets saying in the locker room after the Bruin victory that “We could have sent out one of our redshirt freshman and he would have played better than him.”

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Next Up For UCLA

Who: Miami

Where: Orange Bowl

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN

Radio: AM 1150