Sports briefs for December 11, 2003

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 | 9:58 a.m.

Sooners QB White named top player

Oklahoma quarterback Jason White capped his return from two serious knee injuries by being honored as The Associated Press College Player of the Year.

White emerged as the nation's top-rated passer, leading the third-ranked Sooners to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

White completed 265 of 414 passes for 3,744 yards, with 40 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. And that's despite missing about six quarters of playing time in the Sooners' blowouts.

Bears turn to rookie

The Chicago Bears announced that rookie Rex Grossman would start Sunday at quarterback.

Tie in Australia

Australians Peter Senior and Steve Collins each shot 8-under 64s today to share the lead after the first round of the Australian PGA at Coolum.

King will pay Norris

Don King agreed to pay former champion Terry Norris $7.5 million, just as a jury was debating the boxer's claim that King stole money from him. King agreed to pay $3 million by next week and the remainder within 15 months.

Cheeks fined $7,500

Portland Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks was fined $7,500 by the NBA for verbally abusing officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after his ejection against Memphis.