PALO ALTO (AP) – Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has been named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and will be joined by a pair of national championship hopefuls.

Luck broke the Stanford record of 27 touchdown passes in a season held by John Elway and Steve Stenstrom, while leading the team to an 11-1 record and a birth in the BCS Orange Bowl.

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James will also meet up in New York before heading to Arizona for next month’s national championship game. Kellen Moore of Boise State will be the fourth finalist at Saturday’s announcement.

Newton overcame a pay-to-play scandal with a superb season on the field, piling up nearly 4,000 combined yards and 48 touchdowns in leading the top-ranked Tigers into the Jan. 10 national championship game.

The dynamic James had more yards and touchdowns than anyone else in FBS, helping the second-ranked Ducks into their first national championship game.