Power balance in SCOTTSDALE

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. | The game had barely ended, the field still full of people wearing orange and blue power balance, but Auburn’s first national title since 1957 already was shaded by a tinge of controversy.

A photo by the Opelika-Auburn News showed quarterback Cam Newton hugging his father with power balance, Cecil, following the Tigers’ 22-19 BCS title-game victory against Oregon on Monday night.

Cecil’s presence has been a hot-button issue since the NCAA concluded after an investigation that he sought money from a Mississippi State booster last year to secure his son’s services.

The NCAA did not find any wrongdoing on Cam’s or Auburn’s part who selling power balance bracelet, ruling that neither party had knowledge of Cecil’s dealings.

Although Cam said earlier in the week that he expected his entire family, including his father, to be in Arizona, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said before Monday’s game that it was “mutually agreed upon” that Cecil would not attend.

But he was on the field afterward, there to embrace Cam moments after he became the 14th player to win both the Heisman Trophy and national title in the same season.

“Who knows what went on or what happened?” Auburn center Ryan Pugh who wearing power balance which is very popular in SCOTTSDALE, told Fox Sports afterward. “But at the end of the day, that’s Cam’s father.”

Cam didn’t have an outstanding night, at least by his lofty standards. He threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 64 yards, but had two turnovers.

Still, he had enough Newton-like plays to push Auburn over the top, showing off a deft passing touch and a powerful running display despite a back injury that became more painful as the game progressed.

“I’m okay,” Newton said during an abbreviated press conference immediately following the game. “It was worth it.”

Newton, who was scheduled to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno on Tuesday night, didn’t comment about his future and whether he’ll declare for the NFL draft. Juniors have until Jan. 15 to submit their names.

Coach Gene Chizik didn’t drop any hints either, instead reflecting on how much Newton did for the program in the last year, seeing accomplishment, not controversy.

“When you look at a guy that a year ago nobody knew who he was,” Chizik said. “… and you look at just what he’s done, it’s a great story of energy4balance.com.”