NCAA Football '08

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Florida's Munroe lost for season to knee injury
By Chris Low
ESPN.com
Updated: July 12, 2008, 5:29 PM ET

Florida's secondary, the Gators' most glaring weakness a year ago, has taken another blow before the start of preseason practice. Junior Dorian Munroe, expected to start alongside Major Wright at safety this season, will require season-ending surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Also lost for the season is reserve defensive back John Curtis, who tore the ACL in his left knee. Curtis has already had two prior surgeries to that knee.

"Dorian and John were having tremendous offseasons," Florida coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. "I'm confident Dorian will battle through the rehabilitation process and come back a better football player. John has suffered through multiple knee surgeries, and the medical staff along with John and his family will need to evaluate his long-term future in football."

With Munroe out of the picture, incoming freshman Will Hill will likely figure prominently in the Gators' plans in the secondary. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hill was one of the top-rated safety prospects in the country. The loss of Munroe also will hurt the Gators on special teams. He led the team with 13 special teams tackles last season.

The Gators, who started two true freshmen in the secondary, were last in the SEC a year ago in pass defense.


East Carolina linebacker suspended after assault charge
By Graham Watson
ESPN.com
Updated: July 10, 2008, 11:17 PM ET

East Carolina freshman linebacker Max Joyner was indefinitely suspended by coach Skip Holtz Thursday after he was detained early Wednesday morning for assaulting another man.

According to the Greenville Police, Joyner, 18, was arrested on Stratford Road across from the Clark-LeClair baseball stadium on the East Carolina campus in Greenville , N.C. He was charged with assault inflicting serious injury.

According to the police report, the arresting officer found the victim lying on the street with multiple lacerations on the face. The victim, who was not identified, was taken to a location where he identified Joyner as his attacker. Two other witnesses also identified Joyner.

Joyner went before the Pitt County magistrate and was then taken to a detention center where he was released on a $1,000 secured bond. Greenville Fire and Rescue took the victim to the hospital. There was no word on his condition.

This is the second time this year that Joyner has been arrested for assault. In January, Joyner was arrested for assaulting an Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent in Greenville . He was released on a $500 unsecured bond.

"At this point, Max Joyner has been suspended indefinitely from the football program for a violation of team rules," Holtz said in the statement.

Joyner enrolled at ECU at the start of the university's second summer session on June 25 and was participating in the team's voluntary workouts. Joyner, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, was a defensive standout at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville where he won three Class 4A state championships. He was among the 105 players scheduled to report to Pirates' camp on Aug. 1.

Joyner's trial date is set for Aug. 22.

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UConn's Jeffers to be eligible to play for Vandy in 2009
By Chris Low
ESPN.com
Updated: July 16, 2008, 4:16 PM ET

Terence Jeffers, Connecticut's leading receiver last season, will finish his career at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson announced on Wednesday that Jeffers was enrolled in summer school classes at Vanderbilt and would be a part of the Commodores' football program. Jeffers is required to sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules, but will still have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2009 season.

"Terence wants to be a Commodore and has worked hard to join the team," Johnson said. "I look forward to him being a great contributor on the practice field next season and a valuable player on Saturdays starting in 2009."

The 6-2, 210-pound Jeffers informed UConn coach Randy Edsall prior to spring practice earlier this year that he planned on leaving the program. Jeffers wasn't pleased with the direction of the Huskies' offense and how he was being utilized. Also, transferring to Vanderbilt gets him closer to his Lawrenceville, Ga., home.

Jeffers, who considered Vanderbilt out of high school, caught 44 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns last season and was the Huskies' top deep threat. He started in 21 of 25 games during his two-year career at UConn.


Oregon redshirt freshman drowns after jumping from bridge
Associated Press

EUGENE, Ore. -- A redshirt freshman on the University of Oregon football team has died after trying to swim the McKenzie River during an inner-tube trip down the river. The university said in a statement that 19-year-old Todd Doxey was with several teammates Sunday afternoon in the Cascade Range stream.

It said that most of the party started down the river, but Doxey decided to jump off a bridge. He swam across the current toward a boat ramp. But, the Lane County sheriff's office says, he tired and couldn't hold his head above water.

A fisherman in a drift boat retrieved him and began administering CPR. He was listed initially in critical condition but died about 8 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene.


Kansas extends Mangino's contract for through 2012
Associated Press
Updated: July 15, 2008, 6:44 PM ET

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas gave coach Mark Mangino a raise and extended his contract two years Tuesday, amending his deal to up his compensation to $2.3 million per year. The contract now runs through 2012.

Mangino, entering his seventh year at Kansas, was The Associated Press Coach of the Year last season. The Jayhawks went 12-1, including a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Kansas' first BCS bowl victory.

Mangino's new deal will pay him $1,770,100 per year for professional services rendered, an increase of $500,000. Those services could include educational, public relations and promotional duties assigned by the athletic director. Mangino's annual salary of $229,900 remains the same, though he could get additional incentives up to $675,000 in any given year. Mangino also will receive a retention payment of $1.5 million if he remains head coach at Kansas through the end of his contract.

"This is an appropriate award for someone who has done a terrific job with the Kansas football program," Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins said in a statement. "Chancellor Hemenway and I think it's important that we not only reward Mark for the job he's done, but also give him the support and stability he needs to keep this football program a successful and nationally respected program."


Former Longhorn remains jailed in Texas
By Tim Griffin
ESPN.com
Updated: July 16, 2008, 3:59 PM ET

A former Texas football player remained in Travis County Jail after he was arrested Monday for violating terms of his probation by failing to show up for a court date. Robert Joseph, 20, was jailed under bonds totaling $3,000, said Roger Wade, a spokesman for the Travis County Sheriff's Department.

Joseph had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery, a second-degree felony under Texas law. Joseph accepted a deal requiring him to complete eight years of probation and perform 340 hours of community service. He earlier had been jailed for eight months because he could not afford to post bail after his initial arrest.

The Austin American Statesman reported the guilty plea stems from a robbery committed by Joseph and former Texas teammate Andre Jones last July 27 in southeast Austin. The newspaper said court affidavits showed the two stole cash, a laptop, cell phones and video game equipment from an apartment and its occupants.

Jones was sentenced Monday on a plea deal that he agreed to three weeks ago in connection with the same incident. Jones will serve 30 days in jail and then be placed on 10 years' probation with 340 hours of community service.

Neither of the players was on Texas' team last season. Joseph played seven games as a freshman in 2006, but missed the final six with a shoulder injury. He had 14 tackles as a backup safety and a special-teams player.


Dismissed receiver Stillman pleads guilty to drug and weapons charges
Associated Press
Updated: July 14, 2008, 6:11 PM ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Former Louisville receiver JaJuan Spillman pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges, but won't have to serve jail time if he stays out of trouble with the law for two years. Spillman, who was dismissed from the team after his July 3 arrest, pleaded guilty in Jefferson County District Court Monday to charges including driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.

That arrest came a month after Spillman pleaded guilty to a marijuana possession charge stemming from his arrest Jan. 31, 2007. Bill Patteson, spokesman for the county attorney's office, said Spillman was sentenced to 353 days in jail and has to pay fines and fees of about $1,000. The jail time was conditionally discharged, providing Spillman has no more legal troubles, does not possess any firearms or deadly weapons for two years and pays the fines.

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UCF says Plancher knew of sickle cell trait that caused death
By Mark Fainaru-Wada
ESPN.com
Updated: July 19, 2008, 7:14 PM ET

A 19-year-old University of Central Florida football player whose death resulted from an inherited gene cited in the collapse of several young athletes was aware of his condition and monitored regularly, the school's athletic director said Friday.

Ereck Plancher, a redshirt freshman wide receiver from Naples, Fla., died March 18 following an offseason conditioning session, and the Orange County Medical Examiner ruled Thursday that his death was tied to his carrying the sickle cell trait. The condition does not preclude athletes from competing, but the National Association of Athletic Trainers (NATA) issued a warning in June 2007 that nine athletes had died since 2000 because of complications related to carrying the trait; NATA set forth a series of precautions for monitoring athletes with the trait.

On Thursday, ESPN.com reported that Plancher had been screened positive for the trait twice in 2007, once in January and again in June. UCF acknowledged its trainers and coaches knew Plancher had the trait, but it offered no details about when it was discovered, what precautions were taken as a result and whether team personnel were aware of the NATA warning.

Athletic director Keith Tribble issued a statement Friday saying UCF had handled the situation properly and would conduct a "comprehensive assessment" of the Medical Examiner's findings. "We have said repeatedly that Ereck passed all of his physicals and was cleared to participate fully by UCF team physicians," Tribble said. "Our staff advised Ereck of his sickle cell trait and monitored his physical condition at every practice and workout."

UCF coach George O'Leary also released a statement that said, in part, "The health of our student-athletes is our top priority, and we provide superb medical care at UCF. I am confident our medical staff will evaluate this report in detail as part of our ongoing review."

Tribble, O'Leary and additional football personnel declined further comment through a university spokesman. Plancher's parents could not be reached for comment. Several close friends contacted Friday by ESPN said they were unaware Plancher carried the trait.

The Orlando Sentinel, quoting four unnamed UCF players, previously reported that Plancher fell to the ground during sprints at the end of the 20-minute conditioning session on March 18, and that he showed signs of being in distress during the workout. O'Leary told the paper he didn't see Plancher struggling and his care was handled properly.


Vandy RB Doster arrested on disorderly conduct charge
Associated Press
Updated: July 19, 2008, 2:17 AM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Vanderbilt running back Jermaine Doster was arrested early Friday morning following an incident at a night club in his hometown of Tampa, Fla. According to jail records, the 20-year-old was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and obstructing an officer without violence, all misdemeanors.

Nashville newspaper The Tennessean reports Doster was escorted out of The Honey-Pot Bar by Tampa police and asked to leave. He was arrested when he failed to cooperate, and then he kicked out one of the windows in the back of the squad car. Doster was released on $1,250 bond later Friday morning.

He is the younger brother of the former Commodore running back Kwane Doster, who was shot to death in Tampa in December 2004 while he was back home for Christmas.


Multiple quarterbacks to see playing time at Miami
Associated Press
Updated: July 17, 2008, 4:12 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- When choosing among quarterbacks Robert Marve, Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith, Miami coach Randy Shannon found there was only one solution that made sense. He'll play at least two of them.

Shannon still hasn't selected a starter, but announced Thursday that he'll use multiple quarterbacks this season. But he's not revealing which two have the inside track on field time. The Hurricanes don't have a single quarterback on the roster with any college snaps on their resume. Marve is a redshirt freshman, Harris a true freshman, and both were Florida high school record-setters before enrolling at Miami. Smith is in his first year at Miami as well.

"Whichever quarterback that we name, we're going to play the other one," Shannon said at the Florida Sports Writers Association College Football Media Days, again without specifying any of the quarterbacks by name and therefore not tipping his hand. "We need depth at every position on the field and that's the one position that we don't have depth at because they're young. They're good quarterbacks, but they're young."

Shannon said it won't be a platoon situation. The way he envisions it, one person will emerge as the clear starter, and another will play at certain times to get a feel for game action -- in case that person gets called upon for a bigger role, for injury or any other reason.

Either way, it's a new era for "Quarterback U." The school that produced Vinny Testaverde, Bernie Kosar, Gino Torretta, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh and Craig Erickson is starting over, at least at the game's marquee position. Shannon said he doesn't expect to name a starter until before the Aug. 28 opener against Charleston Southern.

Marve led Tampa Plant High to a state championship and 15-0 record in 2006 after throwing for 48 touchdowns and 4,380 yards. Harris also went 15-0 as a senior, throwing for 49 touchdowns and 3,445 yards. Both were selected Florida's "Mr. Football" after their respective senior seasons. Smith had a strong spring for the Hurricanes as well, ensuring that it's not just a two-man race for the starting job.

The Hurricanes went 5-7 last season, a year where Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman took the snaps under center. Wright graduated and exhausted his eligibility; Freeman got his degree and chose to transfer to Baylor for his final season. The offense -- which has undergone several changes in recent years -- simply didn't ever click with either quarterback and Miami struggled offensively throughout 2007.

Shannon also confirmed that defensive lineman Courtney Harris (Achilles injury) will miss the entire 2008 season. ... Freshman DE Allen Bailey, who moved from linebacker to defensive end and now weighs in at close to 290 pounds, is still slowed by a pectoral injury but will likely be ready to start the season, Shannon said. ... Miami opens camp Aug. 2.


Gators WR Harvin 'ahead of schedule' after heel surgery
Associated Press
Updated: July 17, 2008, 1:32 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- Florida receiver Percy Harvin is "ahead of schedule" in his return from heel surgery, coach Urban Meyer said Thursday. Meyer said Harvin, one of the nation's most dynamic players, has started running full speed and should be ready to go when the Gators begin fall practice next month.

"He's doing tremendous," Meyer said at the Florida Sports Writers Association's annual college football media days. "What happens with skilled athletes and you see it all the time -- especially with the race-horse-type guys -- if they hurt a certain part of their body, another part of their body takes over and then you start having the hip flexors, hamstring issues, quad issues. So we're being very cautious."

Harvin had surgery in early April, hoping to relieve years of pain in his right heel that had bothered him off and on since his high school days in Virginia Beach. It was initially treated as tendinitis at Florida, but the pain persisted and eventually caused soreness in his knee and hip. Despite the nagging injury, Harvin ran for 764 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season and caught 59 passes for 858 yards and four scores.

The Gators believe he can be even better if he stays healthy. Harvin hasn't played every game in either of his two seasons, missing time because of an ankle injury in 2006 and sitting out two games last year because of migraine headaches. He's also sat out countless practices because of a hip pointer, tendinitis in his Achilles' tendon/heel and tendinitis in his knee.

Frustrated by all the injuries, Harvin put in more time in the weight room and became one of the team's strongest players at his position. He opened spring practice around 200 pounds and hoped to avoid further injury, but the heel continued to be a problem, and team doctors decided surgery was the best option.


LSU kicks offensive lineman Jones off team
Associated Press
Updated: July 17, 2008, 3:50 PM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU offensive lineman Jarvis Jones was kicked off the Tigers' football squad for an unspecified violation of team rules. LSU coach Les Miles announced the decision Thursday.

"The issues we had with Jarvis were internal and ones that we dealt with within the framework of our team," Miles said in a statement. "However, we just felt like it was time to go in a different direction. We wish him well in any of his future endeavors."

The 6-foot-7 Jones played in seven games last year as a freshman for the Tigers.


Ohio U. extends Solich's contract through 2013
Associated Press
Updated: July 18, 2008, 11:21 AM ET

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University has extended football coach Frank Solich's contract through the 2013 season. Athletic Director Jim Schaus said Friday that Solich has done a good job turning around the program in three years.

The Bobcats finished 6-6 last season. He guided the team to the GMAC Bowl the year before, marking Ohio's first bowl game since the 1968 season. Solich, who was fired at Nebraska after the 2003 season, was named the Bobcats' head coach in 2004.

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Alleged victim's mother prompts Iowa to look at response
Associated Press
Updated: July 21, 2008, 10:14 PM ET

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa's Board of Regents will meet Tuesday to discuss letters sent by a mother who accused the University of Iowa of mishandling its response to her daughter's allegations of being sexually assaulted by two football players. In two letters sent to school president Sally Mason, the mother accused officials of encouraging her daughter, an Iowa athlete herself, to pursue resolution "informally" and within the athletic department. She said the family was told that it would be faster than the "arduous" process of involving police. The family eventually went to the police.

A copy of the first letter, sent in November 2007, was recently provided to the Iowa City Press-Citizen by the mother. Officials declined to release a copy of the second letter, which was sent in May. Abe Satterfield and Cedric Everson, who have left the football team, are accused of sexually assaulting the woman on Oct. 14, 2007, at a campus dorm. Everson has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and Satterfield has been charged with second- and third-degree sexual assault. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Last month, the board said its investigation showed the university appropriately handled the allegations. Regents president David Miles said he learned of the letters on Friday. He said part of the discussion Tuesday will be about why the regents didn't know about them before.

"I was shocked that we were not told about them sooner," Miles told The Associated Press. "It means that we don't have the answer yet. It doesn't mean they did not handle it properly ... what it means is a report that we thought took into account all of the information, was based on incomplete information, so we have additional work to do," Miles said.

The mother said her daughter met with athletic department officials including athletic director Gary Barta, associate athletic director Fred Mims, football coach Kirk Ferentz and Betsy Altmaier, a university faculty member who serves as liaison to the Big Ten and NCAA. The athlete also met with her own coach.

"I believe that the university did not handle this situation in a professional way that followed university protocol and compliance to its own rules set out in the code of student conduct," the mother said in the November letter.

In a telephone interview with the Press-Citizen, she said: "We were told the school will take care of it. 'We will keep it in-house. We will be swift. We will be just, and you don't have to worry about it.'"

E-mails and telephone messages left Monday for Barta, Ferentz and Mims were not immediately returned.

The university released a statement saying it had compassion for the alleged victim and her family. But it also said: "At all times, she and her family had the ability to determine whether to pursue this matter within the university or outside of it, and we repeatedly informed them of those options."

The university said it "fully supported" the student's decision to file a criminal report.

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Regents reopen investigation into Iowa sexual assault case
Associated Press
Updated: July 22, 2008, 7:33 PM ET

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Iowa Board of Regents on Tuesday reopened its investigation of how the University of Iowa handled its inquiry into the alleged sexual assault of a woman by two football players.

The board took action after learning about letters sent by the mother of the woman who claims she was raped on Oct. 14 at a campus dorm. The letters were sent last November and in May to school officials, including University of Iowa President Sally Mason, but were not disclosed to the regents until last week after they were provided to the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper.

In the letters, the mother accuses the university of mishandling its response to her daughter's allegations. She said officials encouraged her daughter, also an Iowa athlete, to pursue a resolution "informally" and within the athletic department. She said the family was told that it would be faster than the "arduous" process of involving police. Board of Regents President David Miles said Tuesday that he was "dumbfounded" the letters weren't made available, and called it "a serious breach of trust."

"This board owes Iowans a full accounting, and they will get it," he said.

The board appointed Regent Bonnie Campbell, a former state attorney general, to oversee the new investigation. The panel is expected to complete a report on its findings by Sept. 18. During Tuesday's meeting, Mason expressed her "profound and sincere regret" for not turning over the letters to the regents. She said she believed that releasing them would violate federal privacy laws.

"I apologize for this error and for not making certain that the board had access to all information relevant to this case," she told the board.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Mason defended the university's response. While the decision to withhold the letters from the regents was a mistake with "untenable" legal justification, Mason said school officials had otherwise followed protocol. She deflected questions about whether school officials should be fired.

"Do I feel like my job is on the line? My job is on the line every day, OK?" she said. "My job is obviously to protect the integrity of the university and to do the best job that I can to make sure that things are the way they should be. I feel very strongly that we did our best under very difficult circumstances.

"There can be disagreements, obviously, about how that worked out."

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta also attended Tuesday's meeting but did not address the board. Speaking to reporters, he defended the school's response, saying repeatedly that school officials had "followed protocol" but declined to answer specific questions.

"As we enter into this next investigation again we'll fully cooperate ... We went through a process," the first time, he said. "We took a very difficult situation and ... we informed the appropriate people and we kept them informed throughout the process."

Barta said he felt as though school officials were under attack but said they would be vindicated.

"It's difficult, you know, especially at a time when my character is being questioned, [football coach] Kirk [Ferentz's], the president's, but eventually we'll have an opportunity to talk about it, first privately with the board and ... ultimately one day share it publicly," Barta said.

Miles said he and other board members only learned about the letters from the university after the school learned that the Iowa City Press-Citizen was planning to publish them. He said the letter should have provided a "roadmap" for the regents' investigation.

"I think the allegations she raised need answers ..." Miles said. "I'm not going to speculate on what we should do if they're true. The allegations absolutely deserve answers, but I'm not going to assume they're all correct."

Last month, the Board of Regents said its investigation had showed the university appropriately handled the allegations. But that was before it had the letters, and Miles said all information in the case must be included as part of any inquiry.

Mason said she welcomed any additional process the regents could launch into the handling of the case. The university also planned to hire outside experts to examine the handling of all sexual assault cases once the regent's inquiry is completed, she said.

"You will have the full cooperation of the U of I faculty, staff and administration," she told the regents.

Abe Satterfield and Cedric Everson, who have left the football team, are accused of sexually assaulting the woman last October. Everson has been charged with second-degree sexual assault and Satterfield has been charged with second- and third-degree sexual assault. Both have pleaded not guilty.



Agreement gives bowl-eligible Sun Belt teams more options
Associated Press
Updated: July 22, 2008, 12:51 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS -- The Sun Belt Conference announced Tuesday that it has signed agreements with the St. Petersburg Bowl, the Papajohns.com Bowl and the PetroSun Independence Bowl. The announcement came at the Sun Belt's annual football media days.

The agreements are effective immediately and will affect the 2008 and 2009 bowl games. The terms call for bowl-eligible teams from the Sun Belt to be the first available teams in these bowls if other conferences cannot fulfill their requirements.


UCLA's Ramirez falls short of NCAA requirements; Lockett suspended for 1st game
Associated Press
Updated: July 22, 2008, 9:48 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA tailback Christian Ramirez won't play for the Bruins this season because he didn't meet NCAA eligibility requirements. The junior will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and can count 2008 as a redshirt season.

"This is unfortunate for Christian and for our team," first-year coach Rick Neuheisel said Tuesday. "I'm sure Christian will work hard to ensure this situation does not occur again."

Strong safety Bret Lockett has been suspended for the season opener Sept. 1 against Tennessee for violating an unspecified team policy involving academics. The senior will be able to practice when training camp opens Aug. 5.

"Bret understands that he made a mistake," Neuheisel said.

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Hogs' Wade reportedly arrested after nearly hitting police car
Associated Press
Updated: July 27, 2008, 8:24 PM ET

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas wide receiver Marques Wade faces a drunken driving charge after authorities said he nearly hit a police officer with his car late Saturday night.

A Fayetteville police report shows an officer stopped the sophomore from Ellenwood, Ga., after he sped through a parking lot and nearly slid into another officer. The report alleges Wade had bloodshot eyes and denied drinking, but said he had "smoked some marijuana earlier in the day." Police said a breathalyzer test showed Wade had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11. Arkansas' legal limit is 0.08.

Wade also faces a misdemeanor careless driving charge. He was released from Washington County jail early Sunday morning after posting an $880 bond. Wade told The Associated Press he had no comment Sunday about his arrest. Kevin Trainor, a university spokesman, said the team was aware of Wade's arrest.

"He's very upset," Trainor said of coach Bobby Petrino. "The matter will be dealt with."

Wade is scheduled to appear Aug. 18 in Fayetteville District Court. He played only four games last year. The incident marks the fifth arrest of a member of the Arkansas' football team this year.


Oregon linebacker suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules
Associated Press
Updated: July 26, 2008, 11:08 PM ET

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon linebacker Kevin Garrett was suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules. Coach Mike Bellotti announced the suspension Saturday. Details of the violation were not released.

Garrett, a junior from Harbor City, Calif., was at the top of the depth chart at weakside linebacker heading into preseason practice. He had 21 tackles, 51⁄2 for losses, in 12 games last season.


UK's Pulley faces misdeamenor drug, traffic charges
Associated Press
Updated: July 25, 2008, 8:32 PM ET

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Curtis Pulley has gotten into trouble with the law twice in the last two months, including an arrest for multiple traffic violations this week.

WLEX-TV in Lexington first reported Friday that Pulley was charged last month in Louisville on a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession. Then this week, Pulley was arrested in Hardin County on traffic charges including speeding, driving on a suspended or revoked license and having expired or no plates or registration papers, according to court documents.

Court records indicate Pulley was placed on diversion on the marijuana charge, which usually means the charge can be removed from the record if the defendant doesn't violate the terms.

Kentucky spokesman Tony Neely said the university didn't become aware of the charges until Friday and that coach Rich Brooks would decide at a later date what penalties Pulley will face but that it could include loss of playing time. Pulley, a junior, is expected to compete for the starting job with sophomore Mike Hartline when preseason practice begins in August.


Wisconsin back suspended for not meetiing program terms
By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com
Updated: July 24, 2008, 8:59 PM ET

CHICAGO -- Wisconsin Badgers running back Lance Smith has been suspended, coach Bret Bielema announced Thursday afternoon.

"It has come to my attention that Lance has failed to meet certain requirements relating to the first-offender program he was placed in last fall," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said in a statement.

Smith was arrested last July and faced several charges stemming from an incident with his girlfriend. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct, and he was prohibited from participating in away games last season. Smith is suspended from competing and practicing with the team. He remains on the roster and can still use team support services.

The junior had 429 rushing yards and three touchdowns last fall despite playing in just eight games. He was expected to share carries this season with projected starter P.J. Hill and reserves Zach Brown and John Clay.


Paterno reiterates retirement not in his immediate future
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
Updated: July 25, 2008, 1:22 AM ET

CHICAGO -- Joe Paterno wouldn't say how long he plans to keep coaching at Penn State, but the 81-year-old icon was full of punch lines as he addressed a ballroom full of reporters at Big Ten media day.

"Obviously, you get tired of answering the same question: 'When are you going to retire?'" Paterno said. "You can only answer so many ways."

Paterno, who is set to begin his 43rd season as Penn State's coach, answered the question more than a few ways on Thursday.

"I'd like to retire when I feel that I can't make a contribution to Penn State," Paterno said. "I feel very obligated to Penn State. I want to get out of it when I feel it's appropriate. … I don't want to be so stupid that you go so far that I can't leave it the way I want to leave it."

Paterno, whose 372 wins are one behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden for most victories among major college football coaches, doesn't have a contract beyond 2008. Paterno and Penn State president Graham Spanier agreed in April to meet after the coming season to discuss the coach's future at the school. What would it take for Paterno to step down?

"I'm having fun, and I'm enjoying it," Paterno said. "We could lose 10 games by 15 points, and I could say, 'Hey, we're close. We're one play away.' I'll know. If I don't feel I'm doing a good job, I'll know."

When a reporter from a Philadelphia newspaper continued to press Paterno on the subject, the coach replied, "I don't know! I don't know! Do you want me to spell it? I-d-o-n-t-k-n-o-w. How many times can I say it?"

Paterno joked that he hasn't sought counsel from Purdue coach Joe Tiller, who will retire after the 2008 season, his 12th year with the Boilermakers.

"He knows what he wants to do," Paterno said. "He said he wants to fish. I said, 'Fish? For crying out loud!' You catch three and look at one and they all look the same. … You think I'm going to go to some guy who sits on his rear and fishes for advice? Joe will do it his way, and I'll do it my way."


Time to move on from offseason saga, Rodriguez says
Associated Press
Updated: July 25, 2008, 2:27 PM ET

CHICAGO -- Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez stepped to the podium Thursday for his first appearance at the Big Ten preseason media event and promised to clear up what he called "a little bit of drama going on in the last seven months."

That's putting it mildly. Rodriguez's departure from his alma mater West Virginia was messy and acrimonious and ended up in court.

"It was like I was afraid to open up a paper to see what's next and what do I have to refute. There were some tough lessons learned," Rodriguez said.

"I always tell my coaches that you give your life and soul to the place you're working at and I probably did that. It certainly didn't end the way we wanted it to. But there were a lot of great people there, a lot of great young men on the football team, a lot of great fans in the state of West Virginia and I know they're going to have great success in the future."

A lot of those fans were livid when Rodriguez left for Michigan and the way it unfolded. He'd helped shape West Virginia into a perennial national contender and they figured he was staying put. Rodriguez said wading into his new and demanding job has been a way to shut out all the clamor. For his family, it wasn't that easy.

"Unfortunately for my wife and my family, at times it was a little frustrating and disappointing at how that played out. The folks at the University of Michigan have been terrific and the fans have been terrific. The players, none of them have asked about it. It does not seem like it has been an issue at all in my current job and that's the way I want it."

Rodriguez and Michigan agreed earlier this month to pay a $4 million buyout to the West Virginia with $1.5 million of that coming from Rodriguez in three annual payments beginning in 2010.

"There's a lot of things that I would like to talk about, but I want to move on. That's one of the biggest reasons that everything got settled because I think everybody wanted to move on," Rodriguez said.

"Am I disappointed with certain things? Sure I am, disappointed in that maybe not all of the things that I thought were truthful had an opportunity to come out to set the record straight on certain situations," he said without elaborating.

His transition at Michigan has not been without problems, either. Offensive lineman Justin Boren left the program, saying the family values had eroded and then he did the unthinkable. He transferred to Ohio State.

Rodriguez is installing his vaunted spread offense, which was so successful at West Virginia. The Wolverines said goodbye to most of the offensive stars on last year's team, including top overall NFL draft pick Jake Long, quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart and receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. The players that remain are being jammed into on offense nothing like they were recruited to play in.

"We lost a lot of talent offensively," Rodriguez said. "When you're young, you're hungry. A hungry player is fun to watch."

[joepa66]

SEC clears Powe to play, three years after signing with Rebels
By Chris Low
ESPN.com
Updated: July 28, 2008, 10:05 PM ET

Jerrell Powe's long, trying wait is over. After one of the more intensive eligibility fights in recent NCAA history, Powe learned Monday that he'd been ruled fully eligible to practice and play football this season for Mississippi. Officials at Ole Miss made the announcement upon being notified by SEC officials, nearly three and a half years after Powe first signed with Ole Miss in February 2005.

"It's just a relief," said Powe's attorney, Don Jackson. "This is a young man that has worked as hard as any kid I've ever represented, and I've represented a bunch. The fact that he's worked and gotten through this process is a testament to him, to his family and to all the people around him who've worked to help him get to this point."

Powe, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-3, 340-pound defensive tackle, was one of the top prospects in the country when he signed with the Rebels in 2005. He didn't meet NCAA qualifying standards and attended Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy. He re-signed with Ole Miss in 2006, but was again denied eligibility by the NCAA, which said that Powe received too much assistance with his course work.

Last year, Powe attended classes at Ole Miss and was on athletic financial aid but wasn't eligible to practice or play. The NCAA said he needed to meet NCAA and institutional academic requirements before being ruled eligible. SEC commissioner Mike Slive was the final one to sign off on Powe's eligibility.

"We're sort of in uncharted waters with this case," Jackson said. "The NCAA, in effect, has created a classification that really didn't exist, and this has the potential to have an impact on other student-athletes in the SEC."

Jackson said Powe was essentially admitted to Ole Miss last year under the old partial-qualifier rules -- allowing him to go on financial aid, sit out the season and be able to play this season as long as he met continuing eligibility requirements. But because partial-qualifier status no longer exists and because the SEC doesn't accept non-qualifiers, Jackson said the responsibility was in effect placed back on the conference as to whether Powe would be eligible. That's where he said Slive entered the picture. Recent SEC legislation gave Slive more power to rule in non-qualifier cases.

"Basically, the SEC's initial eligibility rules will generally mirror the NCAA's, which allow some non-qualifiers to attend school and try to get their grades up before competing," Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone told the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger. "The one caveat is that any non-qualifier still has to be approved by the [SEC] commissioner."

According to a release by Ole Miss, the SEC informed the university of the following: "Under SEC legislation in place at the time of Mr. Powe's initial enrollment at the University of Mississippi during the fall semester 2007, a partial qualifier may be deemed eligible after successfully completing an academic year in residence including fulfillment of NCAA progress toward degree requirements. The NCAA's action of September 7, 2007 effectively made Mr. Powe a partial qualifier; therefore, based upon his academic record at the University of Mississippi he is deemed eligible under SEC Bylaws."

The question now becomes: How ready is Powe to play? Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said this summer that Powe had lost weight and was down to 340 pounds after getting up to as much as 380. Powe hasn't played in a game, though, since the 2005 season at Hargrave.
He re-signed with Ole Miss in 2006 but was again denied eligibility by the NCAA. Soon afterward, Powe sued Ole Miss and the NCAA but later dropped that suit. He practiced briefly last season during a 14-day window allowed by the NCAA and was quickly elevated to first team, but was later ruled ineligible to play.

"I am deeply grateful to Ole Miss and to the SEC for the opportunity to be admitted here and to prove that I can succeed academically and on the football field," Powe said in a statement released by Ole Miss. "I have always had faith and a plan, and both are beginning to show results. Through God's help and help from Ole Miss professors, counselors and coaches, I have successfully completed my first year of school at Ole Miss. However, my journey is just beginning. "

Powe said he will not conduct any interviews until he proves himself "both in the classroom and on the football field."


'Cocks' Lecorn has drug charge dismissed, not suspended from team
Associated Press
Updated: July 28, 2008, 8:15 PM ET

CAYCE, S.C. -- An attorney for South Carolina freshman receiver Dion Lecorn says the simple possession of marijuana charge against his client has been dismissed. Attorney Lowell Bernstein says the case was dismissed Monday for lack of evidence.

Bernstein says Lecorn took a university-administered drug test two days after his February arrest and it showed no signs of drug use. South Carolina athletic spokesman Steve Fink says Lecorn was not suspended from the team. Lecorn was fourth on the team with 27 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games last season.


Oklahoma DE English out indefinitely after appendectomy
By Tim Griffin
ESPN.com
Updated: July 28, 2008, 10:45 PM ET

Preseason Big 12 defensive player of the year Auston English is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for an emergency appendectomy last weekend in Norman, Okla.
Oklahoma sports information director Kenny Mossman said Monday that OU doctors believe English will be ready for the Sooners' opener Aug. 30 against Chattanooga. The Sooners begin preseason team practices next Monday.

"The operation is already a week old and he's begun his recuperation," Mossman said. "Our trainers think he can make a complete recovery and be ready for the opening game of the season."

English, a 6-foot-3, 253-pound junior from Canadian, Texas, was announced as a preseason All-Big 12 selection last week and is on the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award that is given annually to the nation's top defensive end.

Despite missing Oklahoma's last three regular-season games last season with a hairline ankle fracture, English was selected as an All-Big 12 defensive end and led the conference with 9½ sacks.


Competition for Kentucky's next QB takes back seat after arrests
Associated Press
Updated: July 28, 2008, 6:15 PM ET

Rich Brooks has spent the last eight months deflecting countless questions about who will replace Andre Woodson at quarterback for Kentucky this season. A week before camp begins, figuring out who will be under center when the Wildcats face Louisville on Aug. 31 is the least of the Kentucky coach's problems.

The arrests of quarterbacks Curtis Pulley and Will Fidler in separate incidents last week have taken the focus off what could have been a heated competition with Mike Hartline to fill Woodson's shoes. Pulley was arrested on traffic violations July 22, while Fidler was charged with disorderly conduct in Lexington on Friday.

Brooks had no comment on the arrests, and school spokesman Tony Neely said both matters will likely be handled internally, though the arrests almost certainly hinder both players' chances of winning the starting job over Hartline.

Last week's arrest was Pulley's second run-in with police in as many months. He was cited for marijuana possession outside a Louisville bar June 12 and was placed in a diversion program. That case is set for review Sept. 12.

The legal problems are a major step back for Pulley, who has spent three years trying to fulfill the promise he showed during a spectacular high school career at Hopkinsville, where he threw for 62 touchdowns. Pulley played at both wide receiver and quarterback for the Wildcats in 2005 and 2006 before leaving school briefly after Woodson took a firm hold of the starting job. He returned last fall and was redshirted, but played well enough in practice to be named the Most Valuable Offensive Player on the scout team.

Pulley played well during spring drills and was a star during the Blue-White game, completing 12-of-26 passes for 134 yards with a touchdown and an interception and added 82 yards on the ground, including the game-winning 17-yard touchdown in the final minutes.

Brooks was quick to praise both Hartline and Pulley during last week's Governor's Cup luncheon, saying both players would alternate snaps with the first team and that he would wait as long as necessary before picking a starter.

"What they do well is going to determine who is going to start, but also the one that has less negative plays is probably making a major step forward," Brooks said.
Brooks didn't rule out using Fidler either. The sophomore is recovering from a shoulder injury but impressed Brooks during the spring.

That status could be in jeopardy after Fidler, a sophomore, was arrested after getting into a fight outside of a downtown restaurant. Fidler's "actions served no legitimate purpose and caused undo annoyance and alarm to business patrons," according to the police report.

[jpix]

Utah undefeated season?????

That would be great Cuse...:thumbs:

[jpix]

Joepa. Thanks for all the info. Keep it up fot the next 5 months.........

[joepa66]

Gators' Ingram gone for season because of torn ACL
By Chris Low
ESPN.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida coach Urban Meyer confirmed to reporters following practice Thursday night that senior tight end Cornelius Ingram would undergo season-ending knee surgery next week. Ingram, who caught seven touchdown passes last season for the Gators, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 7-on-7 drill Tuesday in practice. At the time, he didn't think it was a serious injury, but his knee began to swell later that night and into the next morning. An MRI showed a complete tear of the ACL.

"It's the hardest part of the game, the hardest part of coaching and the hardest part of playing, especially when you've got a guy like that who does everything right," Meyer said.

Ingram considered turning pro following last season, but elected to return for his senior season. The Gators had spent a big part of the spring and summer putting in a two-tight end package that would feature both Ingram and sophomore Aaron Hernandez.

"You feel terrible for [Ingram]," Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said. "He's such a big part of what we were planning to do, and I know he was going to have a great season. We've got to handle it, deal with it and go on, but it's not easy."

Ingram, who's already used up his redshirt year, could petition the NCAA for a sixth year, but Meyer indicated that the NFL would probably be Ingram's next stop.


Ohio State's Washington, O'Neal will sit out first two games of season
By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com

Ohio State defensive backs Donald Washington and Jamario O'Neal have been suspended for the first two games of the season, the players told reporters Thursday at media day. Multiple news outlets reported Thursday night that the players confirmed their suspensions but did not elaborate on the reason for punishment. There has been no official announcement from the team.

Washington is a starting cornerback for the Buckeyes. O'Neal is a reserve at strong safety. The two will miss games against Youngstown State and Ohio before being allowed to return Sept. 13 at USC. Both players were held out of portions of spring practice for undisclosed reasons. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said only that they needed to "earn their car keys back."

The Buckeyes secondary is already without Eugene Clifford, who transferred shortly after an assault arrest, and James Scott, who is not participating in training camp. Washington has made 22 career starts, including all 13 games last year. He has 80 career tackles and an interception. Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa, listed ahead of Washington on the preseason depth chart, likely will start in his place against Youngstown State and Ohio.


Auburn CB Savage injured knee in practice, surgery successful
Associated Press

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn cornerback Aairon Savage will miss the season after undergoing knee surgery. Coach Tommy Tuberville said Wednesday's operation was a success.

Savage was a starting safety last season and finished with 26 tackles. He hurt the knee in Monday's practice. Tuberville did not specify the extent or nature of the injury. Savage's brother told the Albany Herald in Georgia that the player had a dislocated knee cap, a torn ACL and a torn MCL.

Savage is eligible for a medical redshirt and could return in 2009 with two years remaining.


Miami determines Dixon was not dehydrated at practice
By Heather Dinich
ESPN.com

Miami defensive tackle Antonio Dixon was released from the hospital Thursday after hyperventilating in Wednesday morning's practice, a school spokesman said. Dixon will return to practice Friday, but it's not clear yet if he will participate.

Miami coach Randy Shannon had originally said Dixon was dehydrated, but the team later said he wasn't and they were still reviewing his test results.

Two players -- running backs Damien Berry and Lee Chambers -- left practice early on Tuesday after suffering heat-related problems. Shannon has been starting practices at 7:45 a.m. but has had to stretch them to almost three hours because there are so many young players on the roster still learning the system.


Dismissed LSU lineman, Jones, transfers to Oklahoma
Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. -- Former LSU offensive lineman Jarvis Jones has transferred to Oklahoma. Jones played seven games during the Tigers' national championship season last year but was dismissed after breaking team rules. The 6-foot-7, 294-pound Jones was at Sooners practice Thursday.

"Jarvis is a talented guy who we recruited when he was in high school," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "We're excited that he has joined the team."

Jones played as a backup at left tackle and right guard as a freshman last season. He must sit out a year under NCAA transfer rules and will be eligible to play in 2009. Oklahoma had a scholarship open last week when receiver Josh Jarboe was kicked off the team.


Kentucky kicks QB Pulley off team for rules violations
Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Curtis Pulley's off-field problems never allowed him to live up to his on-field promise. The talented but troubled Kentucky quarterback was dismissed from the team Tuesday by coach Rich Brooks for a violation of team rules, a move that hands the starting quarterback job Pulley was vying for to sophomore Mike Hartline.

"I'm in the business of taking a young man and building him into a responsible young man, and obviously I feel like I've failed in this situation," Brooks said. "Sometimes for the better good of the whole, some parts have to be sacrificed."

The dismissal follows a turbulent offseason for Pulley that included a pair of run-ins with police. Pulley was arrested on traffic charges in Hardin County on July 22 and pleaded guilty to speeding in district court last week. He received a citation for marijuana possession in Louisville in June.

Brooks said last week Pulley would miss playing time because of his legal troubles but still had a chance to win the starting job. The coach reconsidered after getting more details on Pulley's situation.

"There is basically a little more as I delved into it than I was aware of at the time," Brooks said.

The decision came as a "shock" to Hartline, who will likely be the starter when the Wildcats open the season at Louisville on Aug. 31.

"I knew he was going to get in some playing time troubles," Hartline said. "But in the end it's all about what you have and how you plan to move on. Since he's not on our team anymore, it's tragic and everybody wants him on our team, but we can't really dwell on it."

Brooks said he's not concerned about Hartline's ability to lead the Wildcats, though he would have preferred to give the job to Hartline based on merit, not necessity.

"I had hoped this wouldn't be the way that the starting quarterback would be named," Brooks said. "I would have rather have done it on the field and without controversy."

Controversy, however, seemed to dog Pulley nearly from the moment he stepped on campus. Named Kentucky's "Mr. Football" following his senior season at Hopkinsville (Ky.) in 2004, Pulley's combination of speed and athleticism caught the eye of offensive coordinator Joker Phillips.

"When you recruit a kid, you get all these expectations of Curtis being a great player, and he is a great player, we just never saw it at Kentucky," Phillips said.

Pulley played sporadically at wide receiver and quarterback in 2005 and 2006, but left school briefly after losing a quarterback battle with Andre Woodson. He returned last fall and starred on the offensive scout team and appeared to have turned a corner during the spring, showing flashes of brilliance at times during the team's annual Blue-White game. Pulley passed for 134 yards and ran for another 82.

Brooks said afterward he was in no hurry to name a starter, though Phillips hinted during the summer that Hartline had gained an edge during offseason workouts by displaying the kind of leadership qualities Phillips is looking for in a quarterback.

"[Curtis] had improved, it wasn't as bad as it was the year he lost his job to Andre," Phillips said. "We just thought that Mike was the guy that was leading the guys the right way. Curtis was better, but Mike was ahead of him in the area as far as leading."

Pulley has two years of eligibility remaining, and Brooks said he anticipates Pulley transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision school. Brooks said he wasn't trying to send a message by dismissing Pulley but felt it may have shown his players that they will be held accountable for their actions both on and off the field.

"I'd like to think we try to keep a fairly high standard here," Brooks said. "I want to continue that, but it still breaks my heart any time something like that happens."


Bow's Graunke not practicing because of reported academic issues
Associated Press

HONOLULU -- Hawaii quarterback Tyler Graunke waited patiently for three seasons behind Colt Brennan and filled in well when called upon. With Brennan gone to the NFL, this season was supposed to be Graunke's opportunity to lead the Warriors.

Graunke, however, has been held out of the start of fall camp while he resolves undisclosed issues. It's unknown when the senior will rejoin the team, putting his status for the season opener at Florida in jeopardy. First-year Warriors coach Greg McMackin said Graunke's absence has not and will not affect the team.

"We've just moved on," he said Tuesday. "If somebody's not here, we just move on. If somebody gets hurt, we move on."

McMackin would not disclose why Graunke wasn't with the team, citing student privacy laws, only adding "Tyler has some things he needs to take care of."

The Honolulu Advertiser reported Tuesday that the problems are related to academics. Graunke has not officially been suspended by the team, as he was earlier this year. He was suspended because of academic reasons but was reinstated just before spring workouts.

Graunke is, by far, the most experienced quarterback on the young Hawaii team. He appeared in 10 games last year, throwing for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns. In two starts, he threw for 358 yards and two TDs to lead Hawaii to a come-from-behind victory over Nevada. He also passed for 285 yards and three TDs against Charleston Southern.

He even outperformed Brennan in the Sugar Bowl, throwing Hawaii's lone touchdown. He was 13-of-19 for 142 yards and was one of the few bright spots for the team, even if it was late in the game against Georgia's backups.

Graunke came to Hawaii the same year as Brennan following a heralded prep career in Tucson, Ariz., where he set the state's single-season passing record with 3,372 yards. He was listed ahead of Brennan and started his first game at Hawaii against No. 1 Southern California, led by Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

With Graunke's absence, Inoke Funaki and junior college transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch will compete for the starting job. Funaki, a short and mobile quarterback, is the only one of the three with playing time at Hawaii. He was 10-of-15 for 135 yards and three touchdown last year.

McMackin said a starter will be selected about two weeks before the Aug. 30 season opener at The Swamp and will get about 75 percent of the reps in practice. Center John Estes, one of just three returning full-time starters on offense, said he has "full confidence" in the new quarterbacks, who just need experience.

"We've got great players at quarterback because everybody wants to come and play quarterback here," he said.

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson said Graunke's absence has been a minor distraction and the team has remained focus.

"We have to move on. We have to," he said. "It's unfortunate because Tyler is like our older brother and he knows everything. So it's just unfortunate, but we just have to move forward."

[joepa66]

UCLA QB Olson to have surgery on broken foot, miss at least two months
Associated Press
Updated: August 11, 2008, 2:36 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA quarterback Ben Olson will have surgery on his broken right foot, an injury that's expected to keep him out for at least two months. The decision was announced Monday -- a day after the left-handed senior learned he had fractured the fifth metatarsal in his foot for the second time in four months. The surgery will be performed Tuesday, when Olson will have a screw placed in his foot to assist in the healing.

Olson is expected to miss at least five games. Kevin Craft, a transfer from Mt. San Antonio College, and redshirt freshman Chris Forcier are expected to compete for the Bruins' starting quarterback job.

UCLA opens its season at home against Tennessee on Sept. 1. First-year coach Rick Neuheisel said the Bruins will need to have a starter in place at least a week before facing the Volunteers. Olson was injured when he faked a handoff Saturday before taking a misstep. It was just the latest in a long time of injuries.

"I knew something was wrong," he said in a teleconference call. "I was hoping I only tweaked it a little bit. It's definitely been tough. You're not able to accomplish the goals you set. It's very frustrating because it seems every year that my progression as a quarterback has been halted by injury. But whining and complaining about things and asking 'Why did this happen to me?' does no good. You have to push forward."

Olson said he expects to return to action this season.

"It's a crushing blow to the young man," Neuheisel said. "He put so much time and effort into the program, it's just unfortunate. Sometimes you have a hard time understanding why things happen."

Patrick Cowan, who took over when Olson was sidelined by injury last season and was expected to be the No. 1 quarterback, had surgery after injuring his knee in spring practice and will miss the season.


Torn tendon knocks Clemson DT Jackson out until at least midseason
Associated Press
Updated: August 11, 2008, 3:02 PM ET

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Clemson defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson needs surgery to fix a torn tendon and will be out until at least midseason. Tigers coach Tommy Bowden made the announcement Monday, two days after Jackson tore a quad tendon during a scrimmage. The school said surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

Jackson, a senior, started 10 of 13 games last year and made 37 tackles, seven for losses. Jackson is also a vocal leader on Clemson's defensive front.

"This is a big loss for our defense because Rashaad is not only a leader on the field but off the field as well," Bowden said.

Bowden said Jamie Cumbie will take over while Jackson is sidelined. Cumbie started three games in 2007 when Jackson was dealing with a knee injury. Jock McKissic will also get more playing time.

The Tigers start the season with five games in 28 days, beginning with their opener with Alabama at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 30 and running through a Sept. 27 contest with Maryland. Clemson, though, plays only twice in October: on Oct. 9, a Thursday night contest at Wake Forest, and on Oct. 18 at home against Georgia Tech.


Florida State RB Smith leaves practice because of dehydration
Associated Press
Updated: August 9, 2008, 5:03 PM ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State running back Antone Smith, the team's leading rusher last season, left practice early Saturday because of dehydration. Team officials said he was expected to return Monday.

After playing behind Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker his first two seasons, Smith rushed for 819 yards and three touchdowns as Florida State's featured back in 2007. He entered fall practice as the starter but is expected to face competition from junior college transfer Tavares Pressley.

Pressley, who rushed for more than 800 yards and 11 touchdowns at El Camino (Calif.) Community College last season, has missed the first three practices waiting for eligibility clearance from the NCAA. Saturday's practice closed with a fight between defensive tackle Budd Thacker and offensive lineman Will Furlong. The altercation grew to include center Ryan McMahon and linebacker Kenny Ingram.

"I don't like to see fights," coach Bobby Bowden said. "I'm glad they are feisty, but we ain't got time to wait on them to get through fighting." y, but we ain't got time to wait on them to get through fighting."


Gunshot wound won't stop Louisville's Guy from playing this season
Associated Press
Updated: August 9, 2008, 2:15 PM ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Trent Guy can still hear the shots echoing through the parking garage moments after he left a local nightclub last month.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Nineteen times a group of assailants fired at Guy and his fiancee in the early morning hours of July 5. Somehow, only one of the bullets struck the Louisville wide receiver, lodging in his back. A month later, the memories still haunt Guy. He's not sure what happened. He's not sure why it happened. But he does know he's thankful to have survived.

"An inch to the right it would have hit my spine, an inch to the left it would have hit a vital organ," Guy said.

Instead, doctors were able to remove the bullet shortly after the attack. Now, a month later, Guy has declared himself pain free and is already preparing for his return. He began running on Friday and could be cleared for contact drills in September.

"I just want to help my team as much as possible," he said. "There's no reason for me to sit out if I can go out and play. I just want to be a part of the team."

Getting back on the field is what kept Guy going during the sobering days following the shooting. Even as doctors tended to the wound, searching for serious damage, Guy stayed focused on football.

"What was going through my mind the whole time I got show was 'Am I going to be able to play football again?" Guy said. "When the doctors came in and told me I'm a very lucky young man, I didn't tell them I was lucky, I told them I was blessed."

No arrests have been made, but Guy isn't living in fear. He called the shooting a "wake-up call," he's begun attending church more regularly and says he has no malice toward his attackers.

"I don't feel any kind of way toward the guys about it," he said. "I just pray to God about the situation and pray for those guys."

Guy's recovery has inspired a program that appeared in disarray following a disappointing 6-6 finish last season. His first stop after leaving the hospital was the school's football complex, and there were tears in the eyes of some of his teammates when he walked into the locker room.

"Trent was probably four inches away from where that bullet hit of not being here right now," coach Steve Kragthorpe said. "Our guys, I think it gave them a better appreciation for life, No. 1 their own life and then also their teammates and their friends."

Guy had planned on 2008 being a breakout year after spending two seasons in a largely backup role. He caught 11 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns last year and returned both a punt and kickoff for touchdowns on special teams. He still might make those plays, but until then will spend training camp as a pseudo graduate assistant, working with some of the team's young receivers.

"Coach K has me helping the guys, teaching the young guys," he said. "It's a learning experience for me. It helps me learn plays and it helps me learn defenses."

The 5-foot-9 Guy has lost about 10 pounds off his already slender frame, and knows long days in the weight room are ahead. Now, though, he sees those sometimes torturous training sessions in a new light. If anything, they'll keep him occupied while he waits for doctors to give him the OK to play.

"Every time I go back, I'm like 'Am I released yet? Can I get back on the field?" said Guy, whose next doctor's appointment is Aug. 20. "But I'm not going to rush. I can't do that."

Maybe, though it's all Kragthorpe can do to keep Guy at bay.

"He's lobbying hard right now," Kragthorpe said. "I've got the reins on him. You've got to pull him back. He's like a thoroughbred on the backstretch a little bit. You've got to settle him down for the stretch run."

Guy expects that run to begin sooner rather than later. Whenever he returns, he knows he won't be the same person he was before the shooting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's more careful now about where he goes and who he's with. These days, it's usually just his family and his teammates.

"Coach tells us all the time that we wear our names on our backs, a lot of people know who we are," he said. "When we go out, people know us. I'm not saying things like that should happen, but they can happen. We just have to watch what we do."


USC quarterback's injury not as bad as first thought
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 9, 2008, 9:00 PM ET


USC quarterbacks Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp might not have much time to compete for Mark Sanchez's starting job. Sanchez collapsed in obvious pain before the Trojans began stretching drills on Friday. His injury came as he jumped while tossing a warm-up pass. He was later wheeled off the field before undergoing X-rays.

Sanchez was later diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap. He hopes to return for the Trojans' Aug. 30 opener at Virginia.

"Mark's injury is not as bad as a lot of people feared it was, so we'll take the reps until he gets back and we'll see what happens then," Mustain told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday after practice.

Corp, who passed for three touchdowns in USC's final drill on Saturday, said he's happy his teammate's injury is minor.
Pac-10 blog

"I'm happy for Mark that the injury is not as serious as it could have been," Corp told the Times. "But my thinking hasn't changed at all. I'm still going to compete for first team reps. It's the same kind of opportunity, just shortened a little I guess."

Sanchez sat on a golf cart with his left leg elevated during the Trojans' walkthrough Saturday. He will begin rehab on Monday. Sanchez said he fell asleep in the MRI exam machine after he was injured.

"I woke up and thought I was in a bad dream," he told the Times. "I was like, 'No!' And then it all sunk back in and I was like, 'Man.' But it could be a lot worse. I should be thankful."

[joepa66]

No. 1 Georgia loses tackle Sturdivant to knee injury
ESPN.com
Updated: August 11, 2008, 9:18 PM ET

Preseason No. 1 Georgia has already suffered a loss. The Bulldogs announced on Monday that starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down with a knee injury in the team's first scrimmage of the season in Athens, Ga.

"It swelled up pretty good, and we're taking the pictures so we'll see," coach Mark Richt said, according to the school. "It's just sad to see a guy get hurt."

The sophomore started all 13 games at left tackle left season and earned freshman All-America and freshman All-SEC honors. Sophomore Josh Davis replaced Sturdivant for the remainder of practice.


WSU WR Anderson out six-to-eight weeks after hernia operation
Associated Press
Updated: August 11, 2008, 8:54 PM ET

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Jeshua Anderson, the NCAA 400-meter hurdles champion who was expected to play a prominent role on the Washington State football team, will be sidelined for at least six weeks after a hernia operation.

The sophomore wide receiver discovered the injury last week and had surgery Monday. He is expected to be sidelined six-to-eight weeks, meaning he would miss at least the first four games of the season. Anderson played in all 12 games as a freshman, catching 12 passes for 372 yards.

As a member of the WSU track team, he won the NCAA 400 meter hurdles in a school record 48.69 seconds this year.


Farris named Colorado State's starting QB
Associated Press
Updated: August 11, 2008, 3:23 PM ET

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Colorado State senior Billy Farris was picked to be the Rams' No. 1 quarterback to start the season.

"I really liked the leadership and demeanor Billy showed in the spring. But he didn't take anything for granted at that point," first-year coach Steve Fairchild said Monday in naming Farris his starter over four other quarterbacks.

"He really took charge over the summer, during our conditioning program and the players' workouts. That was where he earned the respect and confidence of his teammates."

Farris, who has played in nine games and thrown 39 passes in his career, beat out junior Grant Stucker, redshirt freshmen T.J. Borcky and Klay Kubiak, and freshman Alex Kelly for the starting nod. Farris replaces Caleb Hanie, who led the Mountain West Conference in passing efficiency last year before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.

Farris, from Baton Rouge, La., will make his first career start against Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field on Aug. 31.

[joepa66]

UCLA's Olson to miss at least five games after foot surgery
Associated Press
Updated: August 12, 2008, 8:52 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA quarterback Ben Olson had surgery on Tuesday to place a new screw and do a bone graft in his broken right foot. Olson, a senior whose career has been interrupted by a string of injuries and had sustained the same injury in spring practice, is expected to miss at least two months and five games.

The Bruins open their season at home against Tennessee on Sept. 1. Olson re-injured his foot at practice on Saturday when he faked a handoff and took a misstep.

He has started 10 games over the past two seasons and missed 11 games because of various injuries. He had been relegated to the backup role behind Patrick Cowan last spring, but Cowan had surgery after hurting his knee in spring practice and will miss the season.

Junior college transfer Kevin Craft and redshirt freshman Chris Forcier are expected to compete for the starting job in Olson's absence.


Torn ACLs to sideline Gators' Barrie, Beal for season
Associated Press
Updated: August 12, 2008, 4:28 PM ET

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Two more Florida players will miss the season after tearing knee ligaments. Gators sophomore offensive lineman Jim Barrie and freshman linebacker Brendan Beal are the fourth and fifth players to tear their ACLs. Beal suffered his injury during Monday's practice and Barrie was injured Saturday.

"Five ACLs, that's a tough deal," Florida coach Urban Meyer said after announcing the latest injuries following Tuesday's morning practice.

Tight end Cornelius Ingram, who turned down the NFL to return for his senior season, tore his left ACL during Florida's second day of practice last week. Redshirt junior Dorian Munroe, a projected starter at safety, and senior safety John Curtis, a backup, tore ACLs in July. All have had surgery and will miss the entire season.

Beal, who was expected to get playing time this year, was injured during one-on-one pass-blocking drills. Munroe, Curtis and Ingram were injured in non-contact drills.

"It's frustrating when guys are hurt," Meyer said. "Still, at our staff meeting this morning I drew up our starting offensive line and I drew up everybody when they're healthy, and [it's] a pretty good-looking football team.

"Right now it looks like Louie's hungry five out there," he said.


Pitt loses Fulmer to another knee injury
Associated Press
Updated: August 12, 2008, 3:15 PM ET

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt has lost starting defensive end Doug Fulmer to a knee injury, the third year in a row injuries have ended Fulmer's season. Fulmer tore a ligament in his left knee and will need surgery. Coach Dave Wannstedt said an MRI exam revealed the injury Monday.

Fulmer injured his knee during training camp Sunday as he tried to bounce back from season-ending injuries the past two years. Fulmer started three of the first four games in 2006 before he was lost for the season with a broken ankle against the Citadel. Last year, Fulmer hurt his right knee in spring workouts and missed the season after having surgery.

Wannstedt said he's unsure whether Fulmer, a redshirt junior, might qualify for another medical redshirt given the rapid succession of his injuries.

"It's just so unfortunate because the guy hasn't had a chance because of all the variety of injuries," Wannstedt said. "The plan right now is that he'll have the surgery. We'll see how the rehab goes, and then we'll deal with it then."

Jabaal Sheard, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound sophomore, is the favorite to replace him.


Gamecocks QB Garcia out week with sprained right ankle
Associated Press
Updated: August 12, 2008, 3:17 PM ET

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia is expected to miss a week of practice because of a sprained right ankle. Garcia will miss Wednesday night's scrimmage, coach Steve Spurrier said Monday. Garcia told Spurrier he was injured in Saturday's scrimmage.

Garcia, suspended by the university for underage drinking in March, joined the team for fall practice Aug. 1. He's had three run-ins with police since arriving on campus in January 2007. Garcia is listed as the third-string quarterback.


Broken pinkie sidelines Missouri tight end Coffman for two weeks
Associated Press
Updated: August 12, 2008, 5:17 PM ET

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri tight end Chase Coffman is expected to miss the next two weeks of practice with a broken pinkie finger. The injury happened last week but Coffman had been trying to practice through it, wearing a glove to protect the finger on his right hand.

Coach Gary Pinkel said the senior is expected to be ready when the Tigers open the season Aug. 30th against Illinois in St. Louis. Coffman had screws placed in the finger and wore a cast as he watched Tuesday's practice from the sidelines.

He had 52 catches for 631 yards and seven touchdowns last season despite playing with bone spurs in an ankle.

[joepa66]

Illini's Williams will redshirt after missing season with knee injury
By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com

RANTOUL, Ill. -- Illinois defensive tackle Sirod Williams will miss the season with torn ACL in his right knee, coach Ron Zook said after practice Wednesday. Williams, a projected starter, suffered the injury on a non-contact play during Saturday's practice. An MRI done Tuesday revealed the torn ligament, and the senior will undergo surgery and redshirt the season.

"I feel bad for him because he's such a great kid," Zook said. "He's been here for the whole time with us and was in our first recruiting class. A lot of them weren't ready to play as freshmen, but we had to play then and thank God we did because now we're going to have him back for another year."

The 6-foot, 292-pound Williams appeared in 12 games last season, recording six tackles (one for loss). He started three games at defensive end as a true freshman. Sophomore Josh Brent and true freshmen Cory Liuget and Reggie Ellis will compete to fill Williams' spot on the line.

"That is the strength of our team and where we feel like we have the most guys ready to play," Zook said. "I think we'll be all right there."


Former Sooners receiver Jarboe transfers to Troy
By Joe Schad
ESPN.com

Jarboe, a freshman, was released by coach Bob Stoops earlier this month after a cell phone video that contained expletives and violent references made its way to YouTube. Oklahoma stuck by its commitment to Jarboe after he was expelled from his high school during his senior year of high school for bringing a weapon onto campus.

"Troy University has always been interested in providing opportunities for young people to better themselves, and this is a situation where a young man who has made some mistakes is looking for a second chance," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said in a statement Wednesday. "I have met with Josh, and I am convinced that he is ready, and willing, to do the things we need for him to do to be a productive member of both this football team and the Troy University community," he said.

ESPN rated Jarboe as the third-best receiver in this year's class. Jarboe, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, was described by ESPN's Scouts Inc. as a "rare combination of size and speed." He had offers from more than 25 schools, including Ohio State and North Carolina. Troy spokesman Ricky Hazel said the school is still trying to determine whether Jarboe will be allowed to play this season or need to sit out one season under NCAA rules.

[CuseFan10]

Utah undefeated season?????

Boy, I wish I put my money where my mouth was.