Other College Football News & Notes: BYU going independent in football
PROVO, Utah (AP) — As BYU's deadline approached and many speculated it could not pull off a move to be independent in football, the Cougars were keeping hope alive while coming up with a way to revive the dreams that crashed two weeks ago.
Turns out the Cougars' statements of reviewing and evaluating all options were accurate, as shown by the school's surprise announcement Tuesday: BYU is going independent in football and joining the West Coast Conference in all other sports, leaving the Mountain West Conference, the league BYU helped create 11 years ago.
BYU announced the move in a brief statement Tuesday, saying it had resigned from the Mountain West, effective June 30, 2011. The school said no other details would come before a news conference Wednesday afternoon at LaVell Edwards Stadium, home of the soon-to-be independent Cougars football team.
The announcement ended nearly two weeks of speculation since BYU's original plan to go independent surfaced, then unraveled within hours when the Mountain West Conference made a protective move and invited Nevada and Fresno State to leave the WAC for the MWC.
BYU had an agreement worked out with the WAC to join in all sports except football, which would play as a Bowl Subdivision independent. The Mountain West's catch of Nevada and Fresno State foiled the plan and left BYU with little time to come up with something else before Sept. 1, the deadline to notify the Mountain West of any plans to leave before the 2011 school year.
WCC commissioner Jamie Zaninovich began talks with BYU after the WAC plan fell through and was able to put together the deal in just a couple of weeks.
The WCC had looked into possible expansion in the past year but decided to stick with eight teams. However, the chance to get a school the caliber of BYU was too good to pass up. The conference has just started talks to negotiate a new television deal and the new addition should only make any deal more lucrative.
With perennial power Gonzaga, an emerging program at Saint Mary's that won two games in the NCAA tournament last year and programs such as Portland and San Diego that have had success in recent years, the WCC is in position to be a regular multiple-bid league for the NCAA men's basketball tournament. BYU has been to 25 NCAA tournaments, including the past four seasons.
Shortly after the BYU and WCC releases, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson released his own, saying the league would continue to explore options for the future. It did not mention BYU by name or the Cougars' decision to leave.
Boise State joins the Mountain West next year, when Utah leaves for the Pac-10, and now BYU departs as one of just four independent teams in the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision. The only other football teams without conferences are Notre Dame, Army and Navy.
BYU, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been looking into football independence as a way to increase the school's exposure through its own network — BYU-TV — and others outside The Mtn.
By going independent, the Cougars will have a challenge filling out future football schedules without the eight guaranteed Mountain West games. The agreement with the WAC included a provision for playing several league teams each year while leaving BYU free to fill the rest of the dates with any other schools.
BYU already has some future opponents in place for what would have been non-conference games in the coming years, but will still have plenty of work to round out the rest of the schedule.
NCAA denies Masoli's waiver to play in 2010
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The NCAA has denied Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli's request for a waiver that would allow him to play immediately, meaning the former Oregon standout won't be eligible until 2011.
Mississippi officials announced Tuesday plans to appeal the ruling, with a response expected in less than one week.
"I'm just shocked and disappointed," Masoli said. "I've done everything I can to follow the rules."
Mississippi athletic director Pete Boone said the decision was "subjective" and expected a successful appeal.
"There is no question in my mind Jeremiah is in the right place," Mississippi coach Houston Nutt said. "We're in the people-helping business. I want to plead with that subcommittee. He's done nothing but what he's supposed to do."
Masoli transferred to Mississippi after being kicked off Oregon's team after two run-ins with police.
He pleaded guilty in a January theft at a fraternity house and was suspended for the entire 2010 season by Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Then in June, he was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and dismissed and kicked off the squad.
The senior had already completed his undergraduate degree at Oregon, and enrolled in Mississippi's Parks and Recreation graduate program. The NCAA will sometimes waive a one-year residency requirement for athletes who are transferring, but enrolling in a graduate program not offered at the previous school.
In a press release, the NCAA said Masoli's request violated the intent of the waiver: "The waiver exists to provide relief to student-athletes who transfer for academic reasons to pursue graduate studies, not to avoid disciplinary measures at the previous university."
Nutt said the NCAA should take into account that Masoli was only kicked off the football team, not the university.
"He was not dismissed from the university," Nutt said. "He was dismissed from the team. I've had players that I dismissed. I want them to go play for somebody else. I want them to learn from their mistakes."
Masoli was expected to compete for the starting spot at Mississippi after leading Oregon to the Rose Bowl last season. He accounted for 51 touchdowns for the Ducks over two seasons.
Now the Rebels are down to two scholarship quarterbacks — sophomore Nathan Stanley, who is the likely starter, and junior college transfer Randall Mackey.
Stanley played in five games last season, completing 11 of 23 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Masoli's loss is a big blow for the Rebels, who open the season at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday against Jacksonville State in Oxford.
Masoli has not used his redshirt season, so he'll be allowed to practice while sitting out this fall and be eligible for competition in 2011.
Masoli hopes that's not necessary.
"I'm very hopeful the NCAA will do the right thing in my case," Masoli said. "I still have faith."
-- David Brandt
Illini AD: Zook expected to win more this fall
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther says he expects three things out of Ron Zook and the Illini this fall: more wins, more competitive football and across-the-board improvement.
Guenther talked with reporters Tuesday ahead of this weekend's season-opener against Missouri about the upheaval around Zook after last season's 3-9 disappointment. In a wide-ranging news conference, Guenther also talked about preserving a key Illini rival as the Big Ten expands, and about the need to find a name sponsor to help shoulder the $150 million to $200 million burden of renovating the Assembly Hall.
Guenther said he told Zook after last season to think about the things he does best and let go of the rest. The result was a house-cleaning and an almost entirely new group of assistant coaches, including new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning.
"Right at the top you needed two (new coordinators) and you needed to let them breathe," Guenther said.
Even if Zook fails to improve on last season, most of the new coaches have two-year deals, leading some to wonder if that's a guarantee that the head coach and his staff will be back in 2011.
But Guenther said the two-year contracts are common and meant to give coaches a year of income if they are fired and have to look for a new job.
The football season that starts Saturday will be the last before Nebraska joins the Big Ten, leading to a split into two divisions. Guenther expects the conference will announce the changes before Sept. 15.
He wouldn't discuss them, but said the conference's schools each picked one rivalry they would like to protect. For Illinois, that's Northwestern, which the Illini play every year for The Land of Lincoln Trophy. They expect be in separate divisions, Guenther said, but will play each other.
"That would be the one game you'd be committing to (every year) besides everybody in your division," he said.
Guenther also told reporters:
— The university has approached a number of state-based companies about buying naming rights for the Assembly Hall for $60 million to $70 million to help cover the renovation project. He wouldn't name the companies. Plans to renovate the basketball arena have been on hold since early 2009 because of the economy. Guenther isn't sure when work could start.
— The 64-year-old athletic director said he will stay at the school through the school year and possibly through next summer. But he said he could retire after that, depending on whether a replacement for former Chancellor Richard Herman — Guenther's boss— has been found at the Urbana-Champaign campus and the status of projects like the Assembly Hall.
-- David Mercer
Bobcats name starting QB, captains
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Redshirt freshman Denarius McGhee of Euless, Texas, has been named the starting quarterback for Montana State, which opens the season Saturday with a home game against Fort Lewis.
Coach Rob Ash and offensive coordinator Brian Wright chose McGhee over senior Cody Kempt, an Oregon transfer who started as a sophomore and was named the backup at the beginning of last season, but started the final four games.
Ash said Tuesday the decision came down to the offensive productivity of the 'Cats when McGhee was under center.
Ash said he was pleased with the way both quarterbacks handled the news on Monday. He said McGhee is the clear starter and will not be splitting time with Kempt, but said he hopes Kempt will get some playing time if the 'Cats have the game under control.
The Bobcats have also named two more captains — senior safety Jordan Craney of Pocatello, Idaho, and linebacker Tanner Ripley of Highwood. They join offensive tackle Mike Person of Glendive and safety Michael Rider of Billings, who were elected captains during spring drills.
Five in-state walk-ons also recently learned they would receive scholarship money for the 2010 season, including sophomore defensive end Caleb Schreibeis and redshirt freshman linebacker Aleksei Grosulak. Both players are from Billings and are expected to start Saturday against Fort Lewis.
Also receiving scholarship money are sophomore cornerback Heath Howard of Plentywood, sophomore receiver Kruiz Siewing of Saco and sophomore tackle Andrew Verlanic of Drummond.
"One of my favorite days each year is when we get to inform players that came here as walk-ons and showed great diligence and work ethic and ability that they are going to receive scholarship money," Ash said Monday.
Clemson LB Maye to have arthroscopic knee surgery
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson linebacker Brandon Maye will undergo surgery on his knee and miss the team's season-opening game against North Texas.
Coach Dabo Swinney announed the injury after practice Tuesday. Maye had started 25 of the past 26 games for Clemson.
Maye is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on the knee on Wednesday. However, Swinney said the injury is not considered serious and Maye could return in time for Clemson's game against Presbyterian on Sept. 11.
Backup Jonathan "Tig" Willard will start in Maye's place.
NCAA clears Tennessee freshman WR Justin Hunter
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee freshman wide receiver Justin Hunter has been cleared by the NCAA to play for the Volunteers.
The team confirmed Hunter's clearance after coach Derek Dooley announced it on Twitter on Tuesday morning. The 6-foot-4 Hunter is one of the top prospects in Dooley's first signing class at Tennessee.
Tennessee coaches and players raved about his performance in fall camp until the NCAA Clearinghouse benched him Aug. 19 to review an online course the Virginia Beach, Va., native took during the summer of 2009.
Hunter spent the summer competing with the USA Track and Field team.
Theret, Alford suspended for opener
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota safety Kyle Theret and offensive lineman Dom Alford have been suspended for the season-opener against Middle Tennessee State for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Coach Tim Brewster announced the suspensions on Tuesday.
It's a particular blow to the young defense, which has a lot of new faces in the starting lineup. Theret is a senior and one of the more experienced players in the Gophers secondary.
Brewster declined to say how long the suspensions will last.
The coach also says it is unknown if fullback Jon Hoese will make the trip. Hoese's father is in the hospital after suffering a stroke. Brewster says the team will support Hoese in whatever decision he makes.
SC OL Richardson says he's leaving for Hampton
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Suspended South Carolina offensive lineman Quintin Richardson says he's transferring to Hampton.
Richardson released a statement on Tuesday through the Lourie Law Firm. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound junior was suspended by coach Steve Spurrier earlier this month for violating team rules. Most recently, he had been recovering from shoulder surgery and did not have a timetable for his return.
In the statement, Richarson thanked the coaching staff, trainers, teammates and the school. He said his time with the Gamecocks was the most rewarding of his life.
Richardson started five games last season, but missed South Carolina's 20-7 loss to Connecticut at the Papajohns.com Bowl after undergoing a shoulder operation.
WR Evans to transfer from Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Sophomore wide receiver Shaquelle Evans has left Notre Dame's football team and will transfer to another school.
Irish coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday that Evans didn't give him a specific reason for wanting to leave. He says Evans didn't see himself "fitting in the offense."
Evans, one of the fastest receivers on the team, caught seven passes for 61 yards last season as a freshman. The former Inglewood (Calif.) High star was behind other receivers on the team's depth chart.
Kelly says Evans will be granted his release so he can transfer to a school of his choice.
Zook: Expect Mo. to throw into Illini secondary
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — There's no surprise that Illinois coach Ron Zook expects Missouri to throw the football a lot when the teams open the 2010 season Saturday in St. Louis.
That would have happened even before the Illini secondary was hit by injuries.
But two of Illinois' starters are now out for this game and beyond. Safety Suppo Sanni (SU'-poh SAH'-nee) is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury, and cornerback Terry Hawthorne will miss at least a few games with a stress fracture.
Hawthorne's replacement will be sophomore Justin Green. Green was a high school cornerback but until last week was a running back at Illinois.
But Zook told reporters Tuesday that his patchwork secondary will be better than some might expect.
Former DB Haynes to start at RB for N.C. State
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has settled on a surprise choice to start at running back.
One-time defensive back Dean Haynes will start at tailback when the Wolfpack open Saturday night against Western Carolina. The redshirt freshman will be backed up by freshman Mustafa Greene.
Junior Curtis Underwood was listed as the starter after spring practice with sophomore James Washington as his backup. On that depth chart, Haynes was listed as a backup at free safety.
