CARSON SHOW ADDS HONORS USC'S PALMER WINS GOLDEN ARM AS NATION'S BEST SENIOR QB.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC quarterback Carson Palmer said he had no idea he would receive a phone call from former Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr on Wednesday afternoon.

But when Starr called, Palmer intently listened as Starr informed him he just won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented to the nation's top senior quarterback.

``It's crazy. It's weird. It's amazing,'' Palmer said. ``It's been a long road. To end up like this is amazing.''

Palmer's week already includes being named an All-American by the Football Writers Association and Pacific-10 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year. He also is eligible for the Davey O'Brien Award, which goes to the nation's top quarterback, and of course, the Heisman Trophy.

Asked whether the Unitas Award might be a precursor to next week's Heisman Awards presentation, Palmer said, ``Who knows? We'll see. I don't want to get my hopes up too much.''

Although Heisman Trophy officials haven't announced which players will attend the ceremony, ESPN taped a segment with Palmer on Wednesday for next week's Heisman preview show, which also will be shown at the ceremony.

USC officials also are making plans for Palmer to fly to New York next week. Palmer, his fiance, his parents, younger brother Jordan and USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow are expected to attend the ceremony.

Palmer is the second USC quarterback to win the Unitas Award, following Rodney Peete, who won in 1988. He beat out a high-profile list of finalists including Ken Dorsey of Miami, Byron Leftwich of Marshall, Dave Ragone of Louisville and Seneca Wallace of Iowa State.

``He's got to be one of the best quarterbacks in America,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``I don't know who could possibly be better. He's the best player, playing against the toughest schedule. What more do you have to do?''

--Also: After discussions among the six major conferences, Bowl Championship Series executives and bowl officials, it appears USC will play in the Sugar Bowl if it earns an at-large bid because the Orange Bowl prefers Iowa over the Trojans, sources said.

That assumes Washington State would end up in the Rose Bowl by defeating UCLA and Miami defeats Virginia Tech. If UCLA defeats Washington State, USC would play in the Rose Bowl.

USC and the Pac-10 already has assured the Sugar Bowl it would buy at least 25,000 tickets.

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CARSON PALMER

USC quarterback added Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award to list of postseason accolades.