NEW YORK — Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh bulled past the guys who play the glamour positions and proved you don't have to score touchdowns or toss passes to be the player of the year.

Spurred by a dominant performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game, Suh became the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year yesterday.

The award was first presented in 1998.

Suh had already won two defensive player of the year awards — the Nagurski and Bednarik — and two for best lineman — the Lombardi and Outland. He was fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

"Just being recognized as player of the year is a huge accomplishment," Suh said in a recent phone interview.

He received 26 of a possible 59 votes from AP college football poll voters to edge Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, who received 20 votes. Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy tied for third.

BUFFALO

CINCINNATI'S QUINN HIRED

It's first things first for Jeff Quinn after being formally introduced as the University at Buffalo's new head coach.

Though he looked the part, wearing a UB lapel pin and pulling on a blue and white Bulls hat during a news conference yesterday, Quinn's mind was on unfinished business. He's still the interim head coach at Cincinnati, and preparing the No. 4 Bearcats (12-0) to face No. 5 Florida (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. Quinn took over the Bearcats after Brian Kelly left the program to take over at Notre Dame two weeks ago.

UNLV

MONTANA'S HAUCK IS COACH

UNLV hired Montana's Bobby Hauck as its next football coach, less than a week after he coached the Grizzlies in the FCS national championship game.

A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press about UNLV's selection of Hauck yesterday. The person requested anonymity.

UNLV has announced plans to introduce its new coach today.

Hauck went 80-17 in seven seasons with the Grizzles and led the team to three Football Championship Subdivision national title games, including last week's 23-21 loss to Villanova.

SHORT SNAPS

Rutgers: Saying the NFL "has been in my heart for a while," Rutgers 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive tackle Anthony Davis is skipping his senior season and entering the draft. Some experts have slotted Davis as the third-rated, draft-eligible offensive tackle prospect.

Fresno State: Running back Ryan Mathews, who leads major college football with 1,808 yards rushing this season, will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Mathews announced his decision through Sun West Sports, which will represent him.