Published Monday, December 08, 2008 6:05 AM

Third & Short for December 8

Wire report

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- East Carolina coach Skip Holtz hopes to meet with Syracuse's athletic director, but said he is not close to accepting the Orange's head coaching job.

Holtz said Sunday he has had no formal meetings with Syracuse and called an NFL Network report that he was to be introduced as the new coach Monday "inaccurate." Holtz, however, didn't rule out replacing the fired Greg Robinson.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the nation's top defensive player.

"A dream come true," Orakpo said.

The strong and powerful 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior from Houston ranks sixth in the nation with 101/2 sacks.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TEMPE, Ariz. -- James Harden, the Arizona State's leading scorer, was held without a field goal for more than 19 minutes but still finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists to lead the Sun Devils past Nebraska 64-44 on Sunday.

The Sun Devils (7-1) played some impressive defense themselves, holding the Cornhuskers to 29 percent shooting and 20 points under their season scoring average.

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COLUMBIA, Mo. -- DeMarre Carroll had 19 points and six rebounds and helped fuel an early 18-point run put Missouri in control in a 93-66 victory over California on Sunday.

Missouri (7-1) won easily despite hitting only one of its first 14 3-point attempts, finishing strong by making five of its last six from long range. The Tigers shot 49 percent, had a seven-high seven blocks and 14 steals.

-- Wire reports

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