Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich will receive an honorary Lott Trophy as college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year from The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, it was announced yesterday.

“Mark Herzlich represents all that is good in today’s student-athlete and epitomizes what we look for in Lott Trophy candidates,” said John Hamilton, chairman of the board of the IMPACT Foundation. “His perseverance, attitude and good works are an inspiration to all of us who love college football.”

Herzlich is sitting out the 2009 season as he battles cancer. . . .

Georgia running back Washaun Ealey said he doesn’t believe Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes should have been suspended after the Gators defensive captain stuck his hand in Ealey’s helmet and appeared to try to stick his fingers in the Bulldogs back’s eyes. . . .

Police say three missing Dickinson State softball players were found dead in their vehicle, which was pulled from a pond northwest of Dickinson, N.D. Authorities have been searching since Sunday night for Kyrstin Gemar, Afton Williamson and Ashley Neufeld, and police said they believed the women were in the vehicle when they made two desperate calls to friends for help. . . .

UConn junior Maya Moore became just the seventh unanimous choice on The Associated Press’ preseason All-America women’s basketball team.