Newton, James lead Heisman Trophy pack

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James, two of the nation's most dynamic players, will meet in the national championship game next month.

First, a stop in New York.

Newton and James were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy Monday, and will be joined by Stanford's Andrew Luck and Kellen Moore of Boise State for Saturday's announcement in Times Square.

Newton overcame a pay-to-play scandal with a superb season on the field, piling up nearly 4,000 combined yards and 49 touchdowns in leading the top-ranked Tigers into the Jan. 10 national championship game.

James and the Ducks will be there waiting for them in the Arizona desert after he piled up more yards and touchdowns than anyone else in FBS (football bowl subdivision), helping the second-ranked Ducks into their first national title game.

"Since I was a young boy, playing the game of football has been a pure joy and this season has been a very special one for my teammates and for me," Newton said in a statement.

Newton is the front-runner, but the big question is whether voters will look past the scandal involving his father.

Newton was unparalleled on the field. He threw for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns while running for 1,409 yards and 20 more scores - adding another on a reception - to join Florida quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow as the only FBS players to have 20 touchdowns rushing and passing in a season.

James was the main cog in Oregon's nearly point-a-minute offense, forcing teams to key on him while the rest of his talented teammates ran all over the field. Oregon led the nation in scoring at nearly 50 points per game and was second in total yards.