Luck, Griffin head Heisman nominees

NEW YORK, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor were among the five finalists for the 2011 Heisman Trophy announced Monday.

Luck became a finalist for a second straight year, joining Griffin, running backs Trent Richardson of Alabama and Montee Ball of Wisconsin, and Louisiana State cornerback/punt returner Tyrann Mathieu among the 2011 nominees.

Luck lost the Heisman to Auburn's Cam Newton last year but responded with even better numbers in his junior season, which he has said will be his last.

He racked up 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns for fourth-ranked Stanford (11-1), which will play No. 3 Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Griffin tossed 36 TDs en route to 3,998 passing and 644 rushing yards for No. 16 Baylor (9-3).

Richardson, a junior, gained 1,583 yards and scored 20 TDs for No. 2 Alabama (11-1), which will face top-ranked LSU Jan. 9 for the BCS title.

Ball, also a junior, amassed 1,759 yards and scored 38 total touchdowns this season for the Badgers (11-2), who will play Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Sophomore Mathieu led LSU with 70 tackles and has a 16.1-yard average on punt returns with two returns for touchdowns.