Article updated: 12/6/2012 9:41 PM

For Te'o, Heisman qualities go beyond numbers

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FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2012, file photo, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o waits for the snap during the second half of Notre Dame's 21-6 win over Boston College in a NCAA college football game in Boston. Te'o is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o plays against BYU in South Bend, Ind. Te'o is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Associated Press/Oct. 20, 2012

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Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o (5) celebrates with teammate Stephon Tuitt (7) after an interception against Oklahoma. Te'o is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Associated Press/Oct. 27, 2012

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If Manti Te'o's career at Notre Dame has seemed like something straight out of a Hollywood script, perhaps it is fitting the linebacker is cast as a underdog in the final two scenes of his collegiate career. First, he will try to become the first defense-only player to win the Heisman Trophy, going up against a couple of quarterbacks Saturday night in Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel and Kansas State's Collin Klein. Next month, he will lead the Irish against Alabama.

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