UPI Newtrack Sports

SounCal QB Leinart wins Heisman Trophy

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart was named winner Saturday of the 70th Heisman Trophy.

Leinart became the sixth Trojan to win the Heisman, and the second in three years. Quarterback Carson Palmer took the award in 2002. The other Southern California Heisman winners were all running backs -- Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), and Marcus Allen (1981).

The Trojan junior signal-caller is 251-of-377 for 2,990 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leinart has also run for three TDs this season.

Leinart beat out teammate Reggie Bush, and two Oklahoma Sooners -- quarterback Jason White, who was last year's Heisman Trophy winner, and freshman running back Adrian Peterson. The fifth finalist was Utah quarterback Alex Smith.

Leinart received 267 first-place votes and 1,325 total points, Second-place Peterson had 154 first-place votes and 997 points.

White finished third in his bid to become the second multi-Heisman winner.

Notre Dame expected to hire NFL assistant

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The University of Notre Dame has reportedly come to terms with New England assistant Charlie Weis to replace Tyrone Willingham as head football coach.

ESPN.com reported Saturday that Weis, the Patriots offensive coordinator the past five years, will receive a six-year contract worth approximately $2 million per season.

A press conference has been scheduled for Monday. Weis reportedly will fly to South Bend after New England's game against visiting Cincinnati Sunday.

Weis graduated from Notre Dame in 1978, but did not play for the football team. He will be the first alumnus to coach the Fighting Irish since Hugh Devore in 1963.

Willingham was fired after three seasons and a 21-15 overall record. With two years left, he was the first Notre Dame coach to be fired before his contract was up.

Defensive coordinator Kent Baer will coach Notre Dame against Oregon State in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28.

Montgomerie up by two after strong finish

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Colin Montgomerie eagled No. 16 and birdied No. 17 Saturday for a 4-under 67 and a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Target World Challenge.

Montgomerie completed 54 holes at 13-under-par 200.

Jay Haas, who led most of the third round, and Jim Furyk also shot 67s and are tied for second at 11-under 202 alongf with Tiger Woods, who recovered from a tough start to post a 69.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had five worldwide wins in 2004, shot a third-round best 5-under 66. He is alone in fifth place at 10-under-par 203. Irishman Padraig Harrington is one stroke further back.

Haas, 51, began the round two strokes behind Montgomerie but caught up with birdies at No. 2 and No. 3.

Brewers send closer Dan Kolb to Braves

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves acquired closer Dan Kolb from the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

The Braves, who will move closer John Smoltz back to the starting rotation gave up young righthander Jose Capellan and a player to be named later for Kilb.

Braves General Manager John Schuerholz said Smoltz was delighted to be moving back into a starting role.

Smolts, 37, was the Braves' closer for the last three seasons and compiled 144 saves. A Braves pitcher each year since starting his major league career in 1988, was a dominant starter for Atlanta throughout the 1990s.

The 1996 National League Cy Young Award winner, Smoltz was used exclusively as a starter his first 12 seasons in the majors, making 356 appearances.

This past season, Smoltz had 44 saves in 73 appearances and a 2.76 ERA. He led all National Leaguers with the fewest walks per nine innings pitched (1.32).