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One man's trash is another man's treasure??
Former LSU lineman transfers to Oklahoma
(SI.com) - NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- 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.
Nobody's perfect: BCS contenders have flaws to fix
(Sporting news) - Every team has a weak spot, an Achilles' heel, a tragic flaw. And every team save one is going to fall short of the national title. Here's some likely causes for the top contenders to stumble:
1. Florida's secondary: When last you saw this unit, it was being flayed to ribbons by Michigan in the Capital One Bowl. Gators' DBs allowed a 60 percent completion rate last season and overall, Florida yielded 25.5 points per game last year. If they can't get that back closer to the 13.5 of their national championship season, another trip to Orlando -- and not Miami -- is likely.
2. Southern California's offensive line: The Trojans' line is one of the least experienced in the country. This could be ... an issue ... for a team that hasn't settled on a featured back yet and only has four starters back on offense.
3. West Virginia's coaching: Everybody loved Bill Stewart after he led the Mountaineers to a 48-28 victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. He seemed so genuinely appreciative of the opportunity. It was a feel-good story, but the reality is West Virginia hired a coach who would not have been a candidate for any other major college job in the country.
4. Oklahoma's cornerbacks and linebackers: After a front four that should be stout and violent, the Sooners are looking to break in two new linebackers and two new cornerbacks. Oklahoma's top four tacklers from last season are gone, and in a league filled with top passers, relying on inexperienced corners could be the Sooners' undoing.
5. Georgia's schedule: The Bulldogs visit South Carolina (almost always a tough nut for them to crack) and Arizona State in September. If they survive that, they'll have to take on Tennessee at home before closing the season with trips to LSU and Auburn, and, if all is still on track, the SEC title game -- most likely against a testy set of Tigers. By comparison, Hercules simply had to tidy up the stables, round up the critters and get the laundry.
6. Ohio State's recent, uh, performances in national title games: It's silly to suggest that Ohio State lacks some secret code to beat SEC teams in bowl games, even though it hasn't happened yet in nine tries. That said, with memories of the past two seasons' pratfalls fresh in their minds, BCS voters are unlikely to give the Buckeyes the benefit of the doubt if more than two candidates present a case for the title game.
Washington, O'Neal will sit out first two games of season
(ESPN) - 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.
He doesn't need to be shy around me; I've been through Chi-town quite a few times!! LOL
High-scoring Tulsa eyeing perfect season, BCS run
(from CBS Sorts.com) TULSA, Okla. -- Tulsa coach Todd Graham is keeping no secrets when it comes to his lofty goals for this season. Anything less than perfection will be a disappointment.
And after watching former WAC rivals Boise State and Hawaii reach the BCS the past two seasons, why shouldn't the Golden Hurricane dream of becoming the next team to crash the Bowl Championship Series party?
"Why wouldn't we have that goal? You look at what Boise State and Hawaii has done, that is definitely our goal," Graham said. "We haven't done anything to boast or brag or to be talked about in that manner. But on the same hand, if you ask me what our goals are, that's what they are."
Don't believe him? Well, neither did some of his players when the former defensive coordinator took over as head coach last season and set a goal of making Tulsa the nation's top offense.
Gus Malzahn unleashed the no-huddle scheme that he never got to use at Arkansas, and the Golden Hurricane averaged 544 yards as three relatively unknown receivers eclipsed 1,000 yards. The trigger man, Paul Smith, has moved on after a record-setting career but longtime understudy David Johnson and junior college transfer Jacob Bower are competing to replace him with every skill player back around them.
"I don't know how many people outside our locker room believe that we'll be in a BCS game but as long as the people inside the locker room do, we'll be fine," said Tarrion Adams, who ran for 1,225 yards last season.
A four-game midseason stretch will present the biggest hurdle for Tulsa. UTEP and defending Conference USA champion Central Florida come to town before a road game at Arkansas on Nov. 1. Two weeks later is a visit to 2006 C-USA champ Houston, where former Oklahoma receivers coach Kevin Sumlin has taken over for Art Briles.
And don't forget SMU, which could have life for the first time since its 1989 NCAA death penalty with the arrival of June Jones after he led Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl last season.
"It ain't easy. It don't make it any easier. You've got to be able to win them all," Graham said. "It's not easy for Oklahoma to win them all. It's pretty hard in college football to go undefeated."
The Golden Hurricane matched a school record with 10 wins last season, finishing in impressive fashion with a 63-7 GMAC Bowl victory against Bowling Green that went down as the biggest bowl blowout ever.
"We don't really feel like the underdogs this year. We feel like we have enough talent to match up with any team in the country," said receiver Brennan Marion, who caught 39 passes for 1,244 yards last season for an NCAA record 31.9 yards per reception. "We're just excited to play and get out there and shock the world."
Mountaineers are new beasts of Big East
(from Sporting News) Since the Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech left the Big East, commissioner Mike Tranghese has pitched competitive balance as the league's selling point.
Apparently, West Virginia didn't get the memo from the league office.
The Mountaineers haven't quite reached Hurricanes-level dominance, but over the last three years, they've won 34 games and finished in the top-10 in nation three times, with league championships and BCS victories in 2005 and '07.
Favored to win the Big East again this season behind its Heisman Trophy contender quarterback, there's no doubting West Virginia is the conference's premiere program.
But can the Mountaineers stay on top with Coach Rod in Michigan and Coach Stew running the show in Morgantown?
"We like proving people wrong," senior tackle Ryan Stanchek said. "I think it's great for the football team. I think we do a lot better when we are the underdog. We do better when we have something to prove. So keep telling us that we don't have a coaching staff."
During the tumultuous time after Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia for Michigan, Bill Stewart, a West Virginia native like Rodriguez, directed the Mountaineers to a 48-28 victory against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Stewart, an affable longtime assistant, was rewarded with a promotion to permanent head coach, putting one of the most talented teams in the country in the hands of a man whose only head coaching experience was three lackluster seasons at VMI.
It seemed all of West Virginia loved coach Stew after the Fiesta Bowl, but that warm and fuzzy feeling won't last if the Mountaineers stumble this season -- and he knows it.
"I don't worry about that pressure," Stewart said during Big East media days in Rhode Island earlier this month. "Every game, they're all big. We're going to approach every game in a championship manner."
The mastermind behind West Virginia's spread offense is gone, but the guy who makes it go is back for his senior season. Pat White ran for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns and completed 69 percent of his throws.
White expects to throw it even more this season, but it's when he leaves the pocket that he becomes one of the most dangerous players in the country.
"He's very unique. He's slippery," Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop, a third-team All-American and the league's leading tackler last season. "You've got to make sure you have him tackled because if you think you have him tackled he could be 60 yards downfield."
McKillop and the Panthers have yet to reach a bowl in three season under coach Dave Wannstedt, but last season's huge upset against West Virginia has Pitt a trendy pick for a breakout season.
South Florida was the feel good story in the Big East for the first half of last season, before a three-game losing streak knocked them out of championship contention. The Bulls have quarterback Matt Grothe and sackmaster George Selvie back, and own a two-game winning streak against the Mountaineers. They'll try to extend that in the season finale at Morgantown, a game already being talked about as a de facto conference championship.
A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:
West Virginia Mountaineers
Key players: QB Pat White, Sr.; RB Noel Devine, Soph.; S Quinton Andrew, Jr.; LB Mortty Ivy, Sr. Returning starters, 8 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: Devine, who averaged 8.6 yards per carry as Steve Slaton's backup last season, is now White's primary running mate ... The offensive line returns intact and new offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, imported from Wake Forest, should provide some new wrinkles. ... The defense, which ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed, needs reworking up front.
South Florida Bulls
Key Players: QB Matt Grothe, Jr.; RB Mike Ford, Soph.; DE George Selvie, Jr.; LB Tyrone McKenzie, Sr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Grothe led the team in rushing with 872 yards, but coach Jim Leavitt would probably like to have Ford (645 yards and 12 TDs) take a bigger role ... Bulls have top three wide receivers (Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester, Taurus Johnson) and TE Cedric Hill back. ... Friday night home game against Kansas (Sept. 12) matches two of last season's surprise teams.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Key players: RB LeSean McCoy, Soph.; WR Derek Kinder, Sr.; DE Greg Romeus, Soph.; LB Scott McKillop, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Wannstedt is 16-19 in three seasons at his alma mater, but he's recruited well and those efforts should start paying off now. At least Pitt is banking on that, because Wannstedt received a three-year extension the day before he beat West Virginia. ... McCoy set a Big East freshman record with 1,328 yards rushing ... McKillop led the NCAA in tackles per games with 12.6.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Key players: QB Mike Teel, Sr.; WR Kenny Britt, Jr.; S Courtney Greene, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Who replaces Ray Rice and his 2,012 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns? Sophomores Mason Robinson and Kordell Young, recovering from knee injury, are the top candidates. ... Britt (1,232 yards) and Tiquan Underwood (1,100) became the first 1,000-yard receiving duo in school history.
Louisville Cardinals
Key players: QB Hunter Cantwell, Sr.; C Eric Wood, Sr.; DT Earl Heyman, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: Coach Steve Kragthorpe's first season was disappointing (6-6) and he spent this offseason cleaning up a roster with too many troublemakers. ... Cantwell backed up Brian Brohm for three seasons, flashing promise in a handful of starts. NFL scouts like his arm and size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds).
Connecticut Huskies
Key players: QB Tyler Lorenzen, Sr.; RB Andre Dixon, Jr.; LB Scott Lutrus, Soph. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Surprising UConn was the Big East co-champion last season with West Virginia, though that 66-21 loss to the Mountaineers makes it tough to take the championship banner seriously ... Coach Randy Edsall passed on chance to take over at Georgia Tech in offseason.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Key players: WR Marcus Barnett, Soph.; DT Terrill Byrd, Sr.; CB Mike Mickens, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: There's still a chance Ben Mauk, who passed for 31 touchdowns and is appealing for a sixth year of eligibility, could be back. If not, senior Dustin Grutza, who has 24 starts, is the guy. ... The Bearcats were plus-16 in turnover, tying for the national lead with 42 takeaways in coach Brian Kelly's first season.
Syracuse Orange
Key players: LB Jake Flaherty, Sr.; QB Andrew Robinson, Jr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Coach Greg Robinson must get the Orange to improve this season after going 7-28 in three years or he'll be gone. ... Ranked last in the league in total offense and total defense.
Clemson in a new role -- favorite to win the ACC
(from Sporting News) Someday, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says, the fortunes of the Atlantic Coast Conference are going to change.
Bowden is acutely aware of the perceptions about the ACC, a league whose members have lost their past eight appearances in Bowl Championship Series games, haven't boasted a national champion since Florida State in 1999 and tend to struggle against squads from power conferences.
And he doesn't let it bother him one bit.
"Things go in cycles. And this'll go in cycles. It's just a matter of time," Bowden said. "College football's too competitive and there's too many good coaches, I think, for one league or one team to be dominant."
His Tigers might be the ones to change that cycle.
For the first time since 1991, Clemson is the favorite to win the ACC title, even though there's no shortage of contenders.
Florida State and Miami, the perennial league benchmarks, are coming off struggles and might not be ready to reclaim past glory quite yet. Defending champion Virginia Tech is talented, yet has numerous holes to fill. Wake Forest has experience and skill, yet was no match for Clemson a year ago. Georgia Tech is installing new coach Paul Johnson's triple option attack and North Carolina hasn't occupied one of the ACC's top two spots since 1997.
So everything points to Clemson -- and the Tigers insist they're finally poised to break through.
"I think if we don't make it to the ACC championship, we let some people down," Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper said.
Thing is, with Clemson's penchant for failing to live up to advanced billing, expectations are high almost everywhere in the ACC. Miami believes this will be a bounce-back year, as does Florida State. North Carolina, with as much talent as perhaps any team in the league, could be on the cusp of a breakthrough.
And then there's defending champion Virginia Tech, which always finds a way to get into the title mix.
"I was surprised that we would be picked to be at the top of our division, to be quite honest with you," said Hokies coach Frank Beamer, who had eight players drafted off last year's team, which fell in the Orange Bowl to Kansas. "I think everybody on our side has a chance."
A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:
Atlantic Division
Clemson Tigers
Key players: QB Cullen Harper, Sr.; RB C.J. Spiller, Jr.; RB James Davis, Sr.; S Michael Hamlin, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: The consensus pick to win the ACC doesn't have to face Virginia Tech, North Carolina or Miami this season -- but visits Wake Forest on Oct. 9 in the game that could decide the Atlantic title. ... Much offensive talent returns, but everything hinges on the offensive line, which lost almost everyone from '07.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Key players: QB Riley Skinner, Jr.; RB Josh Adams, So.; LB Aaron Curry, Jr.; CB Alphonso Harris, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.
Notes: Skinner, Curry and the Demon Deacons won't surprise anyone this year, the way they did two years ago on their stirring run to the ACC title. ... Perhaps the most defensive depth in the ACC, and Sam Swank should be the best kicker in the conference.
Florida State Seminoles
Key players: QB Drew Weatherford, Sr.; RB Antone Smith, Sr.; DE Everette Brown, Jr.; S Myron Rolle, Jr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Bobby Bowden's farewell season? Maybe so, especially if the Seminoles go 7-6 again. ... Early season suspensions will be tempered by soft schedule, but unless Weatherford plays consistently and Smith becomes the star he's long been touted to be, it could be another angst-filled year in Tallahassee.
Maryland Terrapins
Key players: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jr.; LB Dave Philistin, Sr.; LB Moise Fokou, Sr. Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: Terps have best offensive line in the ACC and have most of the offensive starters back from '07, when inconsistency doomed chances. ... Maryland beat Rutgers and outscored Boston College in a shootout in '07, but losing TBs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore (combined 25 TDs) could be tough to overcome.
Boston College Eagles
Key players: DT Ron Brace, Sr.; LB Brian Toal, Sr.; LB Mark Herzlich, Jr.; TE Ryan Purvis, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: In the unenviable situation of trying to replace QB Matt Ryan, but the Eagles' defense gets a huge boost with Toal returning from injury. ... Defending Atlantic Division champions will be led by strong defense in '08, a unit that was the second-best nationally against the run in '07.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
Key players: TB Jamelle Eugene, Jr.; TE Anthony Hill, Jr.; DE Willie Young, Jr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: Finished strongly in Tom O'Brien's first season with Wolfpack and looking to carry that momentum over. ... Most of the offensive skill players are back, but the defense -- which lost seven starters -- will need an overhaul. ... Visits to South Carolina and Clemson in season's first three weeks will set the tone.
Coastal Division
Virginia Tech Hokies
Key players: QB Sean Glennon, Jr.; QB Tyrod Taylor, Soph.; DE Orion Martin, Sr.; CB Victor Harris, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: QBs Glennon and Taylor both played huge roles last season, but Beamer isn't sold on a two-quarterback system, so one may have to emerge. ... Another trip to the title game is no lock, given this road schedule: The Hokies travel to North Carolina, Boston College, Florida State and Miami. They also play at Nebraska in a juicy nonconference game.
Miami Hurricanes
Key players: RB Graig Cooper, So.; LT Jason Fox, Jr.; LB Colin McCarthy, Jr.; DE Eric Moncur, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: The Hurricanes have lacked go-to skill players in recent years, but with RBs Cooper and Javarris James both back and healthy, some pressure will be taken off whichever of Miami's three freshman QBs gets the call. ... Defensive line depth is a question.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Key players: QB T.J. Yates, So.; WR Hakeem Nicks, Jr.; S Trimane Goddard, Sr.; S Deunta Williams, So. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Maybe the biggest enigma in the ACC, with almost all of last season's key players back. As such, Heels are the ACC's most popular sleeper pick. ... Heels went 4-8 last season, losing six of those games by a TD or less. ... Biggest hole to fill? Might be kicker, where Connor Barth excelled for four years.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Key players: OT Andrew Gardner, Sr.; RB Jonathon Dwyer, So.; DT Vance Walker, Sr.; DT Darryl Richard, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: Paul Johnson's triple-option almost always works, yet he'll likely need more than one offseason to get it integrated at Tech. ... Both lines are strong and rank among league's best, so there's hope. ... ACC slate opens at Chestnut Hill and Blacksburg.
Virginia Cavaliers
Key players: TB Cedric Peerman, Sr.; Mikell Simpson, Jr.; LB Clint Sintim, Sr.; LB Jon Copper, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: Sintim and Copper lead one of league's best LB corps. ... Cavs coming off best season since 2002, and open against Southern California. ... Passing game the biggest question, so running backs will absolutely have to set the tone.
Duke Blue Devils
Key players: QB Thaddeus Lewis, Jr.; WR Eron Riley, Sr.; DT Vince Oghobaase, Jr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense.
Notes: New coach David Cutcliffe has 51 returnees, including Lewis, who has folks in Durham believing the best QB on campus isn't hoops point guard Greg Paulus -- a high school star in Syracuse. ... Riley is a big-play threat, but Cutcliffe will need more than one offseason to turn Duke around.
Northwestern wants a bowl game
(from Sporting News) EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Northwestern Football head coach Pat Fitzgerald heads into his third year leading the Wildcats with one goal in mind. Win a bowl game.
Northwestern, which hasn't won a bowl game since beating California in the 1948 Rose Bowl, is coming off a 6-6 season that had plenty of highs and lows.
The team opened 2007 with two straight wins before losing its next three. The Wildcats then won their next three before dropping three of four to close the year.
The midseason winning streak coincided with some spectacular play from then-junior quarterback C.J. Bacher. In a pair of overtime wins, Bacher threw for 990 yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions.
He set a Northwestern single-season record with 3,656 passing yards and threw for 19 touchdowns. But he also threw 19 interceptions, including 15 in the Wildcat's six losses.
"You think about six wins last year, (Bacher had) 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. That's an All-Big Ten year," said Fitzgerald at Northwestern's media day on Thursday. "In the other six games, obviously, the consistency is critical."
To help the fifth-year senior, the team brought in Mick McCall, formerly of Bowling Green, to be Northwestern's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. McCall coached two All-American quarterbacks, Josh Harris and Omar Jacobs, with the Falcons.
"The way that Mick goes about his daily teaching for our quarterbacks, I think he and C.J. have meshed really well," Fitzgerald said. "He's grown, he's really matured and I hope he takes the steps like the previous quarterbacks that we've had at the end of their careers."
Fitzgerald said he likes Bacher's gunslinger mind-set but hopes that the 6-foot-2, 210 pound passer will try to use a little more discretion.
"It's not always about having an 85 percent completion percentage," Fitzgerald said. "Sometimes the best throw is the one that ends up in the front row."
If Bacher and his teammates can perform more consistently this season, Fitzgerald believes the Wildcats will have a good shot at winning their first bowl game in six decades.
"What's in our control is to win a bowl game," he said. "That's something that hasn't happened here in a long, long time. We've changed the attitude and we've changed the expectations. Now it's time we take the next step and win a bowl game."
Auburn's Savage out for season after surgery
(from Sporting News) AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- 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.
Florida TE Ingram has a torn ACL
(from Sporting news) Florida senior tight end Cornelius Ingram confirmed to Sporting News on Thursday that he has a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Ingram hurt his left knee during a one-on-one drill in practice Tuesday and received the results of an MRI on Thursday afternoon. He confirmed the torn ACL through a text message.
Ingram, who considered entering last spring's NFL draft, likely will miss the 2008 season and is expected to undergo surgery to repair the injury. Since he redshirted in 2004, Ingram would need to apply for an NCAA waiver if he wanted to return to school for 2009. He could choose to enter the 2009 NFL draft.
Ingram started five of Florida's 13 games last year and ranked fourth on the team with 34 catches and 508 yards. Sophomore Aaron Hernandez and classmate Tate Casey will fill Ingram's place.
Hot spots for hot shots
(from Sporting News) California, Florida and Texas have been college football's elite recruiting states for several years. That won't change with the signing class of 2009, which is already full of players from those three states. The pecking order among them may change from year to year, but there is rarely a debate that this trio deserves to be on top together. This year's top recruiting states, with the five best players from each:
1. CALIFORNIA
1. Matt Barkley, Mater Dei (Santa Ana), QB, 6-3/226, Southern Cal
Barkley, the nation's consensus No. 1 player, has thrown for 3,560 yards the past two seasons, with 35 touchdowns. He's a pure dropback passer with a cannon for an arm.
2. Cierre Wood, Santa Clara (Oxnard), RB, 6-0/ 192, Notre Dame
3. Vontaze Burfict, Centennial (Corona), LB, 6-2/244, Southern Cal
4. Michael Philipp, Arroyo Valley (San Bernardino), OL, 6-3/320, uncommitted
Matt Barkley: future Trojans QB
5. Randall Carroll, Cathedral (Los Angeles), WR, 5-11/175, Southern Cal
2. TEXAS
1. Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge (Houston), QB, 6-1/179, LSU
Not only is Shepard fleet of foot, but he also has spent much of his summer trying -- with success -- to persuade other recruits to join him at LSU.
2. Jamarkus McFarland, Lufkin, DL, 6-3/280, uncommitted
3. Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis (Austin), QB, 6-4/205, Texas
4. Craig Loston, Eisenhower (Aldine), DB, 6-2/193, Clemson
5. Mason Walters, Frenship (Wolfforth), OL, 6-6/290, Texas
3. FLORIDA
1. Jacobbi McDaniel, Madison (Greenville), DL, 6-0/267, Florida State
2. Jaamal Berry, Palmetto (Miami), RB, 5-11/185, uncommitted
3. Andre Debose, Seminole (Sanford), WR, 6-0/170, uncommitted
Debose is one of three players from his high school listed among the nation's top 200. He caught passes, threw the ball and ran it last year on offense.
4. Aaron Murray, Plant (Tampa), QB, 6-1/198, Georgia
5. Nick Alajajian, Naples, OL, 6-4/280, Florida
4. OHIO
1. Melvin Fellows, Garfield Heights, DL, 6-5/245, Ohio State
2. Marcus Hall, Glenville Academic Campus (Cleveland), OL, 6-5/290, uncommitted
Hall has attended camps at several schools this summer and seems to like Michigan, Ohio State, Southern Cal and Illinois equally. He'll be a huge addition -- literally and figuratively -- to any line.
3. John Simon, Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown), DL, 6-3/274, Ohio State
4. Jamie Wood, Pickerington Central, DB, 6-2/190, Ohio State
5. C.J. Barnett, Northmont (Clayton), DB, 6-1/181, Ohio State
5. LOUISIANA
1. Rueben Randle, Bastrop, WR, 6-3/195, uncommitted
It's still early, and Randle, an impressive athlete, hasn't weeded out any of his pile of scholarship offers. There's no timetable for his final decision.
2. Chris Davenport, Mansfield, DL, 6-4/318, LSU
3. Janzen Jackson, Barbe (Lake Charles), DB, 6-0/174, LSU
4. Eddie Lacy, Dutchtown (Geismar), RB, 5-11/200, uncommitted
5. Michael Ford, Leesville, RB, 5-10/200 LSU
6. GEORGIA
1. Jarvis Jones, Carver (Columbus), LB, 6-3/226, uncommitted
A beast of a linebacker, Jones had 157 tackles last year. He's the ultimate playmaker: He had 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions -- and it was his first year on defense.
2. Abry Jones, Northside (Warner Robins), DL, 6-3/250, Georgia
3. Branden Smith, Washington (Atlanta), DB, 5-11/171, uncommitted
4. Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Twin City), RB, 5-11/205, Georgia
5. Darren Myles, Carver (Atlanta), DB, 6-1/175, uncommitted
7. PENNSYLVANIA
1. Dorian Bell, Gateway (Monroeville), LB, 6-0/226, Ohio State
Bell is by far Pennsylvania's top recruit this year, and he made his decision to leave his home state way back in April.
2. Eric Shrive, Scranton West, OL, 6-7/285, Penn State
3. Je'Ron Stokes, Northeast (Philadelphia), WR, 6-1/178, Tennessee
4. Corey Brown, Gateway (Monroeville), ATH, 6-1/180, Ohio State
5. Tom Savage, Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield), QB, 6-4/217, Rutgers
8. NORTH CAROLINA
1. Donte Moss, Northside (Jacksonville), DL, 6-4/235, North Carolina
2. Xavier Nixon, Jack Britt (Fayetteville), OL, 6-6/263, uncommitted
3. Justin Dixon, Smithfield-Selma, LB, 6-1/228, North Carolina
4. Jheranie Boyd, Ashbrook (Gastonia), WR, 6-2/184, uncommitted
Boyd plans to come up with a top 10 list pretty soon, with schools like Clemson and Florida leading the charge. He has entertained the thought of waiting until signing day to make his decision.
5. Desmond Scott, Hillside (Durham), RB, 5-9/185, Rutgers
9. ALABAMA
1. Dre Kirkpatrick, Gadsden City (Gadsden), DB, 6-2/180, uncommitted
A tall cover cornerback, Kirkpatrick is a college coach's dream. With 11 interceptions the past two seasons, he has proved he can be a playmaker.
2. Nico Johnson, Andalusia, LB, 6-3/226, uncommitted
3. Tana Patrick, North Jackson (Stevenson), LB, 6-3/215 uncommitted
4. Kendall Kelly, Gadsden City (Gadsden), WR, 6-4/210, uncommitted
5. AJ McCarron, St. Paul's (Mobile), QB, 6-4/189, Alabama
10. SOUTH CAROLINA
1. DeVonte Holloman, South Pointe (Rock Hill), DB, 6-2/214, Clemson
2. Malliciah Goodman, West Florence, DL, 6-4/255, Clemson
3. Sam Montgomery, Greenwood, DL, 6-4/ 230, Uncommitted
Montgomery, also a college basketball prospect, had 65 tackles last year, 20 for loss, and 15 sacks.
4. Damario Jeffery, Columbia, ATH, 6-3/215, uncommitted
5. Chris Bonds, Richland Northeast (Columbia), DL, 6-4/262, uncommitted
ATH -- athlete; no specific position yet
Travel costs bogging down athletic budgets
(from Sporting News) The athletic administrators at Hawaii have spent decades figuring out how to travel cheap. Every trip is trans-Pacific for the Warriors, which makes getting to and from road games second only to recruiting as the school's top sports challenge.
In these difficult economic times, travel has become even more of an issue. Recent jumps in fuel prices, teamed with local carrier Aloha Airlines' declaring bankruptcy in March, have wreaked havoc on Hawaii's budget. The school will spend close to $3.2 million on travel this coming school year, an increase of more than $450,000 over its non-Sugar Bowl expenses from last year.
"We're scrambling," says Carl Clapp, associate athletic director for administrative services. "It's getting very difficult for us because, like a lot of others, we're not in the best economy. And ours might be a little worse."
Hawaii isn't the only school that needs to juggle numbers to make all its trips this year. Bowling Green officials will spend about $183,000 just to show up for September football games at Boise State and Wyoming. Cincinnati's football and volleyball teams will make trips to Hawaii before New Year's Day. Fresno State will fly more than 2,300 miles (each way) twice to face Rutgers and Toledo.
In the short term, creative budgeting and more aggressive fundraising can counter the rising costs. But continued economic issues could shake up how some smaller Division I schools play sports. Bowling Green's Jim Elsasser, assistant athletic director for internal affairs, says his women's golf team plans to save dollars by slashing a tournament from its annual March trip to warmer weather. And WAC commissioner Karl Benson, whose nine-team league has the nation's largest geographic footprint even without Hawaii, says the higher costs might prompt his schools' presidents to look harder at expanding.
Recent jumps in fuel prices, teamed with local carrier Aloha Airlines' declaring bankruptcy, have wreaked havoc on Hawaii's budget.
"It's going to have to become a topic of conversation," he says. "If we go to a 10-team basketball league and pick the right school, we can have travel partners and eliminate some of those single-game trips from Louisiana Tech to, say, Boise."
The drastic moves remain speculation for most schools and conferences except Hawaii, which has seen travel cost increases take an extra 1 percent of its 2008-09 budget. To help cover expenses, the football team will reach road games by flying commercial from Honolulu to California, then pick up a charter to cover the mainland portion of the journey. UH last resorted to that tactic when it faced Alabama in the 2006 opener; it will happen six times this year, including for the season opener at Florida. (The rest of Hawaii's teams always fly commercial.)
But the new setup doesn't solve all the problems. A round-trip ticket to California, once valued between $450 and $485, now costs more than $700, Clapp says. Continued increases could lead the Warriors to further measures, such as reducing the size of travel parties or following Bowling Green's lead of cutting scheduled nonconference trips.
"We don't want to do anything to hurt our teams' abilities to compete and chances to win," Clapp says. "At the same time, we have to evaluate everything. It's all on the table."
The crunch, of course, has hit most handicapped schools outside the six BCS conferences. It's no sweat for Ohio State to pack its band, cheerleaders, administration and football team and ship them to California for a game against USC in September. But such a trip for neighbors Toledo and Bowling Green, which reap far less from college football's postseason payouts, puts a much bigger dent in the bottom line.
And that logic follows all around the country. LSU can overcome hurdles Louisiana Tech can't. Tennessee can make trips that would financially cripple Middle Tennessee State. And the more costs rise, the more stark those realities become.
"Our budgets don't grow at the same rate as those other schools', " Bowling Green's Elsasser says. "There's a widening gap between the BCS schools and everybody else, and it's going to continue to increase."
The travel costs hurt in other areas, too, from funding official visits to paying for coaches to visit high schools and camps to recruit. And it's not just flying that punishes wallets; coaches are turning in far more expensive rental car, meal and lodging receipts than they were five years ago.
Like in every other pocket of society, the hope is that things change soon and that college athletics travel becomes a bit more affordable. Until then, the small schools around the country will keep rolling their pennies, topping off their tanks and scrounging for more money to get to the stadium and back.
Clemson's returnees lead to Heisman buzz
(from Sporting News) - CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- There's plenty of buzz about the Heisman Trophy around Clemson this summer, even if no one's sure which Tiger it's focused on.
Maybe it's senior quarterback Cullen Harper, who threw a record 27 touchdowns to just six interceptions last season and returns as the Atlantic Coast Conference favorite for player of the year. Or perhaps it's power runner James Davis, back for a senior season where he's poised to become Clemson's first rusher with three seasons of 1,000 yards or more. Then there's Davis' running mate, the electrifying C.J. Spiller whose playmaking skills remind many of former Heisman winner Reggie Bush.
And don't forget record-setting receiver Aaron Kelly, who caught 88 passes and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden wishes he could use more than one football this season with these talented Tigers.
"This is the best returning group that I've had," said Bowden, starting his 10th season.
Bowden and his staff have spent the past few seasons luring some of the country's best to the rural campus in the state's northwest corner. Now, the Tigers have a deep and experienced group which already has its names in Clemson's record book. Davis wears down defenses with his relentless style while Spiller can slip through the smallest hole and outrace defenders to the end zone any time he touches the ball. Kelly can catch passes over the middle or take a bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage for big yards. The poised Harper is there to make the whole thing go.
Sounds like a good recipe for strong season. But maybe not the best formula to come away with college football's top individual award next December.
"It'd probably be hard for one of us to win it because we won't put up a lot of the stats that a lot of guys put up," said Davis, the "Thunder" of Clemson's "Thunder and Lightning" backfield.
Of course, Clemson had the orginial Heisman winner -- John Heisman coached the Tigers to a 19-3-2 mark from 1900 to 1903. No Clemson player has won the trophy named for the college football innovator and ex-Tiger coach.
Woody Dantzler was the last Tiger to get a serious push as a Heisman contender when the school used a "No Knocks On Woody" campaign during the 2000 season as Clemson opened 8-0 and rose to No. 5 in the country. However, the Tigers lost three of their final four games and Dantzler fell from the running.
Dantzler got in the mix a year later as the Tigers started 4-1 and he was in the midst of a groundbreaking season where he became the NCAA's first to throw for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 in the same season. Clemson, though, finished 7-5 and Dantzler was not a factor in the race.
Harper laughs off talk of a Heisman-type season. It was only a summer ago that some Clemson fans didn't want the first-time starter under center, instead backing true freshman Willy Korn for quarterback. All Harper did was set nearly two dozen school records and help the Tigers to their first nine-win season in four years.
He briefly considered leaving early for the NFL draft, but wanted one final try at an ACC crown Clemson last won in 1991.
"When people say stuff like that, when they talk about the Heisman, it's a great honor," Harper said. "But I definitely don't let it go to my head."
The national preseason Heisman talk starts with Florida junior Tim Tebow, who won the award last year. Others considered strong contenders include Missouri quarterback Chase Daniels, West Virginia quarterback Pat White, Ohio State running back Chris Wells and Georgia tailback Knowshon Moreno.
"To me it's a shame that Cullen's not in the top five preseason going into the Heisman," said Spiller, a junior at Clemson. "He had one of the best years a quarterback can have."
Harper threw for 2,991 yards, completing better than 65 percent of his passes. He led the ACC in passing efficiency and brought Clemson within a dropped pass of the ACC title game.
If Clemson achieves on the field, Harper says all the Tigers will attract attention.
"You can't really let that affect you," Harper said. "You've just got take it with a grain of salt. It's a great honor, but it definitely isn't the end all of awards."
Don't get me started!! LOL
OT: This is 'StarTrek' stuff!
Brain-Eating Amoeba Blamed for California Boy's Death
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,399262,00.html
A 9-year-old boy from California died last weekend as a result of a brain-eating amoeba that health officials believe he contracted while swimming.
The boy, who has not been identified, is from Lake Elsinore and may have ingested the amoeba while swimming in a lake of the same name. Riverside County, Calif. health officials are warning residents to take precautions when swimming in any lake, pond or hot spring.
The child was infected with an amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri, the Riverside County Department of Public Health said.
The boy was the first ever confirmed case of the infection in Riverside County. Just 33 cases were reported nationwide between 1998 and 2007.Officials did not release the boy’s name.
The department recommended avoiding activities in fresh water when temperatures are high and water levels are low. People should also avoid water around hot springs and power plants.
Symptoms caused by the amoeba include fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and headaches. The parasite is known to inhabit bodies of freshwater, geothermal water or hot springs, as well as warm water discharged from industrial plants and poorly chlorinated swimming pools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infection occurs when the amoeba latch onto the nasal cavity of people swimming in water and eat away the person's brain tissue. Wearing noseclips while swimming in warm water may help.
Even though the amoeba is active in the summer months, infections are rare. Naegleria infected 23 people from 1995 to 2004, according to the CDC. Last summer, health officials saw a spike in infections in the Western U.S. with six Naegleria-related cases, all of them fatal.
Okay, sounds like y'all had fun.... I was just wondering?? No details?? LOL
Someone on this board said you liked camping?? LOL
Sporting New's team previews: No. 18 Michigan
(from Sporting News) Lloyd Carr is out. Rich Rodriguez is in. And the world is watching.
It's not just a coaching change in Ann Arbor. It's a cultural change, too. Rodriguez isn't a "Michigan man." He isn't a slave to Michigan traditions. He's even installing a spread-option offense that he used to turn West Virginia into a national power.
Will this seemingly odd marriage work?
A success-starved fan base may not have patience to wait long to find out. If Rodriguez does just one thing in his debut, he must beat Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won six of the last seven meetings — including the past four — and played in the last two BCS title games. But it won't be easy to ease the pain in Ann Arbor with a program in transition.
The cause of much the angst is the apparent absence of a capable quarterback to make Rodriguez's spread offense hum. Ryan Mallett has left for Arkansas following a promising debut as a true freshman. A lumbering dropback passer, Mallett wasn't a fit for this attack.
Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan and freshman Justin Feagin all appear ready to fight for the starting job.
Rodriguez said he might not choose a starter until game week.
But don't be shocked if Michigan, which lost out to — who else? — Ohio State in the derby for mega-recruit Terrelle Pryor, goes with Feagin. He's no Pryor, but Feagin is a stellar athlete with the tools to run this offense.
With Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington both having left early for the NFL, there is no doubt Greg Mathews is Michigan's top veteran wideout. But how many passes will be thrown his way in this offense? Junior Hemingway, LaTerryal Savoy, Toney Clemons and Zion Babb will be in the mix with Mathews. And keep an eye on Darryl Stonum, a decorated incoming freshman who arrived in time for spring drills.
West Virginia tight ends caught no passes last year. But Rodriguez swears he'll use the considerable talents of Carson Butler, Martell Webb and Mike Massey in the slot and as H-backs.
Mike Hart's departure leaves a gaping hole at running back. The answer may be a tailback-by-committee. There is no shortage of candidates to employ in Rodriguez's spread, including Brandon Minor, Kevin Grady and Carlos Brown.
The bellwether up front was supposed to be Justin Boren, but he left the team in a huff in the spring because he felt the program lacked "family values." He figured to start at guard or center, as well as provide leadership for a line that already lost three key cogs, including stud tackle and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jake Long and star guard Adam Kraus.
That leaves tackle Steve Schilling as the lone veteran. There are many moving parts for a unit that figures to be in flux until late in fall camp. It's vital for David Molk to prove stable at center.
Michigan has the makings of a strong defense with the return of several key players along the line. Tackle Terrance Taylor is the stalwart. End Brandon Graham has the tools to be a force after showing flashes of greatness in his first year as a starter in 2007. Now is the time for end Tim Jamison to realize his potential.
There is work to do at linebacker. Obi Ezeh, the lone returning starter, showed the instincts and aggressiveness last season that had been missing earlier in his career. Even though he has the dimensions and skills better suited for the inside, John Thompson could be the guy on the strong side if Ezeh lands in the middle. Former safety Jonas Mouton is a dynamic combination of speed and size on the weak side.
Cornerback Morgan Trent is not only the top player on the defense — he also is the top player on the team. In 2007, he ranked second on the squad with 10 pass breakups and picked off two passes. Trent's goal this fall is to become a shutdown force and playmaker.
Michigan has a deadly weapon in punter Zoltan Mesko. He emerged last season, displaying consistency and a strong leg. Now, Mesko looks to solidify a spot as the Big Ten's best punter — and maybe the best in school history.
LOLOL
My nephew and his wife are in the USAF. They switch turns going over there and the other stays here with the kids. She's from San Antonio.
Check out post # 6233 on this board. LOL
Hopefully Tebow won't be lost in love!! LOL
And let's just hope when you're on that perfectly good plane, that its not the pilot's time to go and he forgot to mention where he hid his training manual! LOL
Smart move!! There's lots of other things to do in life!! And enjoying your kids is one of them (sometimes)!! LOL
Sure hope so!! Can't wait for the season to start! Approximately 23 Days, 8 Hours, 25 Minutes and 11 Seconds until life as we know it begins!! LOL
I've got it too. Its manageable and easy to live with but there are certain things I don't do either! Cliff diving is definitely out!! LOL
Sooners hope marrow screening will save lives (from Sporting News)
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Along with trying to win a third straight Big 12 championship and righting recent BCS struggles, the Oklahoma Sooners left their media day Wednesday with another goal in mind: Saving lives.
Dozens of players followed coach Bob Stoops' lead in going through screening to become a bone marrow donor, hoping to help a 10-year-old Sooners fan and others suffering from cancer and blood disorders.
"When you think about it, one day you could actually save somebody's life. To me, that's something really important that you should do," said linebacker Austin Box, who sat down at a table to complete his screening shortly after Stoops got done.
Each potential donor rubbed four cotton swabs in their mouth -- one in each corner -- to provide a DNA sample that will go in a national registry. Patients who are in need of a bone marrow transplant will also have their DNA entered into the database to see if it fits with a donor.
Tallie Anderson, a 10-year-old transplant hopeful from Shawnee, attended the screening in a pink Oklahoma T-shirt and met with Stoops and players who volunteered. She was diagnosed last March with severe aplastic anemia, a blood disorder.
"We thought it would be like anything else: a one-year thing. You go in, you go out. The doctors didn't mention a bone marrow transplant or anything -- "We'll do treatment. We're good to go,"' said Roger Anderson, Tallie's dad.
"But now we're starting to talk bone marrow transplant because some of the therapy is not working."
Tallie's chances at finding a donor aren't as good as others might be. She's a descendant of the Choctaw Tribe, and American Indians have the lowest number of registered donors with the National Marrow Donor Program. Nearly 80,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives are in the NMDP's database, compared to more than 5 million white people.
"If you're a Caucasian -- a plain, vanilla Caucasian -- your chance of getting a match is about 80 percent, but it drops off dramatically if you're a minority," said Laura Rooms, a pediatric oncologist with the Children's Hospital at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.
To make up for the underrepresented parts of the population, the federal program pays the $52 screening fee for minorities and certain targeted donors including college athletes, police and firefighters, said Stacy McLeod, the NMDP coordinator with the Oklahoma Blood institute.
The Sooners football players were ideal candidates.
"These guys are young, their cells are viable, they will be able to donate for many years, which is extremely important, and they're male. Those are big criteria," McLeod said. "Those are the ones we really want because those are the ones that are going to graft, or actually work, in a patient."
Stoops said he came up with the idea for the screening by reading an article about a similar program at Wagner College, a Football Championship Subdivision school in Staten Island, N.Y.
"I thought, heck, why couldn't we? We've got a lot of strong, healthy young guys if they're willing to do it," said Stoops, who frequently visits cancer patients at the children's hospital. "We just informed them that if they wanted to, there'd be this opportunity."
There were 84 players, coaches, reporters and athletic department staff members who went through the screening at Oklahoma. Wagner reported getting 201 volunteers at its marrow drive in April, which was open to the public.
"Hopefully a lot of Division I schools will see what coach Stoops is doing and then hopefully do it," said punter Mike Knall, who also got screened. "If we get all these numbers of people to get their DNA out there, you're bound to find someone who will meet your match and save thousands or millions of lives."
When the database generates a match, the NMDP contacts the registered donor to see if that person is still willing to participate. The donor then would go through a medical screening to make sure the procedure will be safe and be given the choice to give either bone marrow or peripheral blood.
Rooms said a syringe is used to harvest the marrow from a donor's hips or back in an approximately hourlong procedure under general anesthesia, while the blood donation takes longer but uses needles in each arm. She said the donor usually has some "mild discomfort."
"To save somebody's life, it's a fairly minimal sacrifice," Rooms said.
The screening is even easier. Stoops had to fill out a form with some personal information -- and sign an autograph on a second form -- before the DNA collection, which takes about 10 seconds per swab.
"I think as much as anything just the general public doesn't realize maybe how easy it is to be on the registry. I just did it in a total of 5 minutes," Stoops said. "I understand there will be a process if I were to be a donor for it but I think to help someone to improve their life or to give them a chance to live, it's worth it, maybe the little bit of discomfort it might be, to give them that chance."
And maybe, just maybe, little Tallie will find a DNA match in quarterback Sam Bradford, who is of Cherokee descent, or in someone he inspires to donate.
"There's a lot of kids who need bone marrow transplants, and it's just an opportunity for us to add to the possibilities that they'll find a match and that they'll be able to get the transplant that they need," Bradford said.
"A lot of these kids need it to help them live, so it's just something that we can do to help people out."
Wildcats crisp during second day of practice (from Sporting News)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky coach Rich Brooks says his team picked things up during the second day of training camp on Wednesday.
Brooks said the team appeared to get it's first-day jitters out of the way and looked a little crisper during two hours of drills at the Nutter Training Center.
One of the surprising early developments is the play of freshman Randall Cobb, who is seeing time at both quarterback and wide receiver. Brooks said coaches will decide after Thursday's practice which position will be Cobb's focus. Depth at quarterback is a concern after Brooks dismissed Curtis Pulley on Tuesday.
Brooks was also quick to praise the play of his young wide receivers, who have benefited from a little coaching from veterans DeMoreo Ford and Dicky Lyons Jr.
Miami DT Dixon leaves practice in ambulance (from Sporting News)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Miami defensive tackle Antonio Dixon was taken to a hospital by ambulance after apparently suffering effects from the strong heat and humidity Wednesday during practice.
The team said Dixon was in good condition, and he was expected to stay at Doctor's Hospital overnight as a precaution. Miami coach Randy Shannon had originally said Dixon was suffering from dehydration, but the team later said his ailment was unclear.
Dixon, a 6-foot-3, 322-pound projected starter, is the third player in the last two days to leave practice early. Running backs Damien Berry and Lee Chambers left Tuesday's practice early due to dehydration.
Plus, several players cramped during Saturday's opening session, when the heat index was in the mid-90s by late morning.
Dixon said he lost more than 20 pounds this offseason, partly because of injuries that have plagued him in his career with the Hurricanes, partly because he has struggled with playing in the extreme South Florida heat in the past.
Wednesday's practice was Miami's first in full pads, lasting 2 hours with the heat index in the mid-90s.
Gators' Ingram misses practice with knee injury (from Sporting News)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram missed practice on Wednesday with a strained left knee and his status is uncertain.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said he would not know the severity of the injury until he gets the results of an MRI Thursday morning. Meyer said Ingram suffered the injury during one-on-one drills during Tuesday's practice.
Ingram, who passed up the NFL for his redshirt senior season, walked off the practice field to the locker room on Tuesday without help and without a noticeable limp.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder has caught 64 passes for 888 yards and eight touchdowns in the past two seasons as mostly an inside wide receiver. He was expected to be used as a true tight end this season.
Sophomore defensive lineman Justin Trattou also sat out Wednesday's practice with the flu. Meyer said Trattou will return Thursday.
Redshirt freshman running back Chris Rainey has aggravated a groin injury that he suffered during track season and will be limited for the next few days.
Nebraska quarterbacks compete for backup spot (from Sporting News)
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Patrick Witt and Zac Lee are splitting reps at Nebraska football practice, competing to back up quarterback Joe Ganz.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson says Witt -- a redshirt freshman -- is the backup for now, but Lee -- a sophomore -- is being given the chance to compete for the spot.
Watson says both men bring their own strengths to the offense.
He says Witt is still learning the offense, but getting better.
Jaivorio Burkes sat out of practice for the third straight day Wednesday with an undisclosed medical problem, but Watson says the sophomore offensive tackle will be ready to join in soon.
27-year-old DB Faison leaves Volunteers (from Sporting news)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Defensive back Vince Faison has left the Tennessee football team, citing continued high blood pressure.
Faison joined the Vols in spring practice after a nine-year professional baseball career.
Faison, 27, was a 2000 first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres. He also played in minor league organizations for Seattle, the New York Yankees and Oakland.
Coach Phillip Fulmer said Faison will become a student coach for the team.
Me either! Time to get a few more of those cowboys over there. Send the scouts to Billy Bob's!! LOL
Sometimes, I wish I was a male cheerleader when I grew up!! LOL
That would be a great move for Applewhite, especially since he played there in 2000 or so. I believe he's still got a few records there that Vince didn't break.
Please I didn't mean to offend anyone by it, but Brown didn't stay for that bowl game. He just announced he was leaving that Wednesday and then left. That's why the 'hurry up' announcement was made as far as Davis being interim coach the day of that bowl game. You're absolutely right about that Independence Bowl not having national implications, but it was a big deal to Tulane fans (I'm not one) that their coach left in such a haphazard fashion.
It seems like Davis has followed Brown somewhat. I wonder why?
As for Miles, I'm still undecided on him as of yet. He was Big 12 Coach of the Year in his last full year at OSU. But my feeling is that it was mostly because of finally beating OU. Most folks in Oklahoma believe that OU's rejects go to OSU so if OSU beats OU, it really makes them look bad. When Miles got to LSU he had plenty of talent due to Saban's recruiting. Now its mostly his recruits this season so we'll see.
Southern California once again favorite in Pac-10 (from Sporting News)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Pac-10 has long been a conference known for its talented quarterbacks and high-powered offenses.
That's what makes the uncertainty at quarterback so many teams are facing at the start of fall practice so unsettling to many teams.
Only Arizona State, Arizona and Washington opened fall practice with returning starters at quarterback entrenched in their jobs.
Everyone else is either breaking in a new starter such as Mark Sanchez at Southern California, challenging a former one like the competition between Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley at California, or hoping a young one will take the job like Nate Costa at Oregon.
"I would say that the team with the experience at quarterback probably has the lead going in because the experience at that position is so important," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "When you're breaking in a new quarterback, there's always a growing process."
USC figures to be an exception to that rule.
The Trojans have done well with first-year starters at quarterback in the past under Pete Carroll, winning a share of the national title with Matt Leinart in 2003 and finishing fourth overall in the country with John David Booty in 2006.
Sanchez has made only three career starts, winning two of them while Booty was hurt last season, and has thrown just seven touchdown passes to six interceptions.
But he has the most talented roster in the league surrounding him, including linebacker Rey Maualuga, running back Joe McKnight, and receiver Patrick Turner, and the confidence of his teammates.
"He's a playmaker from the quarterback position," USC linebacker Brian Cushing said. "Mark will be a lot better this year. He knows it's his time. The year of maturity where he's had a little experience means a lot."
The team best positioned to challenge the Trojans this season could be Arizona State because of the experience of Rudy Carpenter at quarterback.
Carpenter has made 31 straight starts for the Sun Devils, throwing 25 touchdown passes last season to help Arizona State tie the Trojans for the regular season title.
"You can have a guy that's very talented, and there are a lot of them in our league, and a lot of new ones in our league that are going to be playing, but there's nothing like having that experience on the football field," Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said. "With Rudy coming back, I feel very good about that aspect of it. Not only has he played a lot. He's been very successful."
Washington coach Tyrone Willingham and Arizona coach Mike Stoops have similar feelings about their own returning starters in Huskies sophomore Jake Locker and Wildcats senior Willie Tuitama.
The rest of the teams know it will be a growing process at quarterback.
"You've got to have support people because the quarterback can't do it on their own," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "It's a dogfight and you have to protect your players and be healthy."
A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- Key players: LB Rey Maualuga, Sr.; FS Taylor Mays, Jr.; RB Joe McKnight, Soph.; DL Fili Moala, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Offensive line features four new starters but talented backfield of McKnight, C.J. Gable and Stafon Johnson should make transition easier. ... Strength of the defense is in the back seven, led by Maualuga, Mays, Cushing, and S Kevin Ellison. ... Home game against Ohio State on Sept. 13 highlights nonconference slate and could play big role in determining who makes BCS title game.
ARIZONA STATE -- Key players: QB Rudy Carpenter, Sr.; RB Keegan Herring, Sr.; DE Dexter Davis, Jr.; K-P Thomas Weber, Soph. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Mike Jones (10 TDs last season) and Chris McGaha (61 catches) lead a talented receiving corps. ... Weber made 24 of 25 field goals as a freshman and won the Lou Groza Award as nation's top kicker. ... A home win over Georgia on Sept. 20 could vault Sun Devils into national title picture.
CALIFORNIA -- Key players: C Alex Mack, Sr.; LB Zach Follett, Sr.; RB Jahvid Best, Soph.; DL Rulon Davis, Sr. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Expectations are down after Golden Bears lost six of final seven games after having a chance to become No. 1 in the nation last year. ... Best (7.6 ypc) showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman but must recover from a hip injury. ... Florida transfer Nyan Boateng will be counted on at receiver after talented trio of DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan left for NFL.
OREGON -- Key players: S Patrick Chung, Sr.; DE Nick Reed, Sr.; C Max Unger, Sr.; RB Jeremiah Johnson, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Loss of QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart leaves big holes on an offense that led conference in scoring. ... Junior college transfer RB LaGarrette Blount could make an immediate impact. ... Reed led conference with 12 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses.
ARIZONA -- Key players: QB Willie Tuitama, Sr.; TE Rob Gronkowski, Soph.; WR Mike Thomas, Sr.; OT Eben Britton, Jr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 3 defense.
Notes: Coach Mike Stoops has not had a winning season in four years at Tucson and could be on his way out if he can't reverse that trend and lead the Wildcats to their first bowl game in 10 years. ... Offense is set with Tuitama, Gronkowski and Thomas, but defense must figure out how to replace eight starters, including star CB Antoine Cason.
UCLA -- Key players: RB Kahlil Bell, Sr.; K Kai Forbath, Soph.; LB Reggie Carter, Jr. Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: Coach Rick Neuheisel returns to the head coaching ranks at his alma mater and brings heralded former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow with him. ... Ben Olson could be challenged for starting QB job by junior college transfer Kevin Craft. Patrick Cowan was supposed to be the starter until being sidelined by a knee injury in spring. ... Bell was off to a great start last year before knee injury.
OREGON STATE -- Key players: WR Sammie Stroughter, Sr.; CB Brandon Hughes, Sr.; OT Andy Levitre, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 3 defense.
Notes: Beavers have been slow starters and fast finishers in recent years. With road games at Stanford and Penn State to open the schedule, Oregon State will need to be sharp early. .... Stroughter was limited to three games last year because of a kidney injury, but was granted a medical hardship to come back. ... QB Sean Canfield is coming back from a shoulder injury and has fallen behind Lyle Moevao on the depth chart.
WASHINGTON -- Key players: QB Jake Locker, Soph.; LB E.J. Savannah. Jr.; S Mesphin Forrester, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: The pressure is on coach Tyrone Willingham after posting only 11 wins in his first three seasons. A brutal nonconference schedule that features Oklahoma, BYU and Notre Dame makes Willingham's job even more difficult. ... Locker is the leading returning rusher in the league at 82.2 yards per game.
STANFORD -- Key players: WR Richard Sherman, Jr.; LB Clinton Snyder, Jr.; C Alex Fletcher, Sr.; DL Pannel Egboh, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense.
Notes: Coach Jim Harbaugh tries to build off a debut season highlighted by big wins over USC and Cal. ... Tavita Pritchard, who engineered the win over the Trojans, is competing for starting QB job with Alex Loukas and Jason Forcier. ... Cardinal have depth at tailback with Anthony Kimble, Toby Gerhart and Jeremy Stewart.
WASHINGTON STATE -- Key players: WR Brandon Gibson, Sr.; RB Dwight Tardy, Jr.; LB Greg Trent, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Coach Paul Wulff has tough task as he tries to make the step up from Eastern Washington. ... Gibson led the Pac-10 with 107.3 yards receiving per game last season. ... Gary Rogers is expected to replace Alex Brink as starting QB.
Longhorns lack experience at wide receiver (from Sporting News)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The list of proven, dependable receivers at Texas reads like this: Quan Cosby, Jordan Shipley and ... OK, so it's a short list.
Finding a third, fourth, fifth and maybe even a sixth reliable pass catcher for quarterback Colt McCoy is a top priority for coach Mack Brown during training camp.
"You've got two who have played and whole lot of other guys you're looking at," Brown said this week.
You have to go back several years to find a Texas team so lacking in proven receivers. McCoy has 51 career touchdown passes over the last two seasons because he had plenty of solid veterans who could find the end zone.
But gone this season is Nate Jones, who had a team-high 70 catches last year. So is Limas Sweed, the big target who stretched defenses until he was injured midway through last season and is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And athletic tight end Jermichael Finley surprised many when he skipped off to the NFL draft after his sophomore season.
That leaves Cosby and Shipley, both seniors, to carry the load.
Texas is counting on them to not only make plays, but to nurture the younger players through the mental rigors of the playbook and the season.
Cosby is the oldest player on the team at 25. He signed a baseball contract coming out of high school and spent a couple of years bouncing around the minor leagues before giving it up. He has 120 career receptions for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns. He's also the Longhorns' best punt and kick returner
Shipley, a fifth-year senior, was one of the greatest receivers in Texas high school history, but has caught only 43 career passes after losing two seasons to serious injuries. Brown says he wants to petition the NCAA to get Shipley a sixth year of eligibility.
"Those two guys are the stabilizing forces," Brown said. "They can play any position. We feel like they can go all day, they can both return kicks, they both hold for the kicker, and they're really, really good leaders on this team."
So who else is there? Offensive coordinator Greg Davis said this week he's been impressed with redshirt freshman Malcolm Williams. The Longhorns also signed five receivers last spring in anticipation of needing the immediate help.
Toss in the likelihood that Texas may sometimes put backup QB John Chiles in the slot or at wide receiver, and the Longhorns like their chances of developing some quality depth in time for the Aug. 30 opener against Florida Atlantic.
"We have to help them come along, me and Shipley," said Cosby, who marvels at how young some of his teammates are. "Man, ya'll are so young. You were in middle school when I was a (high school) senior."
McCoy hopes to find the next Sweed, who was 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and a nightmare for defenses on deep routes.
"Who is going to step up, take responsibility and be somebody I can feel confidence in throwing the ball to on third down?" McCoy said.
"We'll find out."
New facility puts Kansas on equal footing (from Sporting news)
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- The Kansas football program is no longer trying to support a champagne taste on a beer budget.
Coaches won't feel like hiding their eyes any more when visiting prospects see the locker room. Players won't have to stand in line to get treatment for injuries. And they'll no longer suffer the peonage of having to ride a bus to their own home games.
It's a new era in Lawrence. The Anderson Family Football Complex, a gleaming state-of-the-art facility, now sits on the southwest side of Memorial Stadium like a bright and shining monument to last year's amazing 12-1 season.
When the doors swung open just in time for fall practice, the Jayhawks leapt forward about 60 years, from the squiggly lined black-and-white 1950s to the high-tech, high-impact HDTV of today.
"This place is awesome. I'm telling you, it's awesome," said junior safety Justin Thornton, sitting in the spacious auditorium. "The first time I came in here I felt like I was being recruited all over again."
Recruiting is the name of the game in college athletics, and ultimately that will be the main benefit of the $31 million complex that now houses the training tables, locker room, weight room, training room, video room and spacious coaches offices.
"The No. 1 thing, it's going to be a good recruiting tool," coach Mark Mangino told a larger-than-normal contingent of reporters and photographers at Kansas' annual media day. "That's the No. 1 thing. We were able to do some good things at the old place. But for long term, it helps recruiting."
Calling the drab and outdated facilities the Jayhawks used to work out of "the old place" is being kind. Not only was everything outmoded, everything was also inconvenient. There wasn't enough of anything, and nothing was close to the stadium.
Now they have it all in one place.
"It's 1,000 times better than the old facilities," wide receiver Dexton Fields said. "I think it shows how much our program has evolved from where it used to be."
Like a freshly painted automobile that's just been driven off the showroom floor, the Anderson Family Complex even smells new.
"I love it. It's top of the line," linebacker Joe Mortensen said. "We have flat-screen TVs everywhere. Our locker room is huge. Our players lounge is great. I'm so glad my senior year I get to have facilities like this."
Even if the Jayhawks had not gone 12-1 last season and beaten Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, the new complex would have been built. Construction began more than a year ago. But having it open just as players return following the greatest season in school history makes it all feel like a grand reward for a job well done.
"It's pretty unreal," quarterback-wide receiver-punter Kerry Meier said. "We almost have too many things. And that can't be a bad thing. It's got everything we need and then some. Hopefully, it boosts everything about Jayhawk football as far as recruiting and everything."
The head coach's office is larger than a lot of apartments and includes an enormous private shower.
"You need to have a place in college football that you have access to everything you need when you need it," Mangino said. "When you need to be in the weight room, you're there. When you need to use the auditorium for meetings, it's there. When you're having two-a-day practices and you have a lot of kids who need taped or treatment, the tables are ready. They're not sharing them with others who are waiting."
It may not sound like a big deal, but having to pile onto a bus, all dressed out in uniform, and ride across campus for a home game had coaches and players muttering under their breath for decades. Now they'll get dressed and march right onto the field just as their counterparts -- and recruiting rivals -- at places like Oklahoma.
"The thing the kids will really enjoy more than anything else is coming over here and actually relaxing in their complex and being able to concentrate on game day," Mangino said.
"A lot of times coming (to the stadium) on the bus on game day, there are people stopping traffic to try to sell tickets. Our buses are sitting in the traffic waiting while somebody is trying to scalp some tickets."
Wide receiver Marcus Herford believes Kansas now deserves to be mentioned with college football's elite.
"I always felt like KU was a big-time program," Herford said. "It was just a matter of turning the program around and getting the facility to show it."
Vandy tri-captain Smith to have surgery (from Sporting News)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Senior receiver George Smith, a Vanderbilt tri-captain, will miss at least four weeks because of a stress fracture in his right foot.
Head coach Bobby Johnson says Smith probably will miss the Aug. 28 season opener at Miami, Ohio, and possibly the Sept. 4 home opener against South Carolina.
Smith is scheduled for surgery Thursday.