College Football Capsules: Michigan coach denies NCAA violations
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Rich Rodriguez gripped the podium, bowed his head, paused and appeared to fight back tears. The click-click-click of cameras was the only sound.
Instead of being peppered with quarterback questions five days days before the season opener, the Michigan coach on Monday found himself addressing allegations that the Wolverines have been violating NCAA rules relating to how much time they spend training and practicing.
He insisted, repeatedly, that college football's winningest program has followed the rules since he was put in charge 20 months ago.
Rodriguez became very emotional when he talked about the perception that he and his staff do not care about their players.
"That is disheartening," he said, then paused before looking up to finish his thought for dozens of reporters and a long line of TV cameras. "To say that is misleading, inaccurate and goes against everything that I have ever believed in coaching."
The school launched an investigation on Sunday after the Detroit Free Press published a report in which players from the 2008 and 2009 teams said the amount of time they spend on football during the season and in the offseason greatly exceeded NCAA limits. The players spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity because they feared repercussions from coaches.
Big Ten compliance officials arrived on campus Sunday to assist with the investigation, according to two people at the school. One person, who spends a lot of time with the team, said the school's compliance office often makes unannounced visits to make sure the program is following the rules. Both people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the school will not publicly discuss the case until the probe is completed.
"Our office does not conduct investigations in situations such as this," the Big Ten said in a statement. "As that task is undertaken by the institution and — depending the circumstances — the NCAA. To the extent we get involved, it is purely in an advisory capacity."
Rodriguez suggested the complaints were an attempt to "tear up" the effort to rebuild a program that lost a school-record nine games last year. It was Michigan's first losing season since 1967 and its first without a bowl in 34 years.
Michigan athletic director Bill Martin announced the school investigation, saying the allegations were taken seriously. He said the school believed it has complied with NCAA rules.
Martin, who hired Rodriguez away from West Virginia in a contentious move, said he was surprised by the newspaper's report, but said he fully supports Rodriguez.
"I'm all in for Rich Rodriguez," Martin said after the news conference.
Like Rodriguez, the university's compliance director, Judy Van Horn, has denied that the football program violated NCAA rules.
Those regulations allow players to spend eight hours a week on mandatory workouts during the offseason. Players told the Free Press that they have spent two to three times that amount on required workouts.
The players said the amount of time they spent on football activities during the season exceeded the weekly limit of 20 hours and often exceeded the daily limit of four hours. They also said quality-control staff often watched seven-on-seven offseason scrimmages that are supposed to be voluntary and that only training staff are allowed to attend.
Detroit Lions rookie Carson Butler, who played at Michigan, said he didn't think players had to do a lot more work for Rodriguez last year when compared with previous seasons under Lloyd Carr.
"It was just a different structure," Butler said.
Butler said it didn't seem as if the players were forced to spend excessive time training and practicing.
"I don't know all of the exact rules, but I don't remember anything that seemed like it was too much," Butler said. "If the weight room was open, you went. If there was a run, you went. It's just what you do to be a better football player."
Rodriguez opens the season Saturday at home against Western Michigan, planning to play three quarterbacks, and said he is not worried about the allegations becoming a distraction.
"Nothing is going to change their focus," Rodriguez said.
Linebacker Obi Ezeh said the report will only make the team's bond stronger.
"We were really tight coming out of training camp," Ezeh said. "I think things like this kind of help us to grow stronger."
The ABCs of Ohio State football
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A look at the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes from AA to Z:
AA_is for Andre Amos, who has come out of nowhere to possibly start at cornerback, going head to head for the job with Devon Torrence for the Sept. 5 opener.
A_is for Academy, like the one in Annapolis, Md. The aforementioned opener is against the Midshipmen of Navy, the first time Ohio State has met one of the service academies in the regular season since 1931.
B_is for Bowl. The Buckeyes did beat the Midshipmen 31-28 more recently, in the 1981 Liberty Bowl.
C_is for Chic, as in Harley. The man whose 19-1-1 record in his three glittering seasons led to "the House That Harley Built": Ohio Stadium. His number is among those retired on the new ribbon boards at the closed end of the structure. He is also quoted on a board above the locker room door at the old, concrete horseshoe: "We're heart and soul for this stadium, the fellows who know what it is to go in there and fight with all that's in us for Ohio State and her glory." It's the last thing the players see before they enter the tunnel to come out on the field.
D_is for Defense. Seven starters are back, although even the most avid of Ohio State fans would be hard pressed to name more than one or two of them.
E_is for Evege. Donnie Evege, a sophomore defensive back, appears to be channeling the Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Polamalu with his long, flowing locks that almost cover the No. 30 on his back. If Evege misses a tackle this week, don't be surprised if coach Jim Tressel turns into a barber, however.
F_is for a Fragel named Reid. He's a freshman tight end. His name sounds as if his parents were Muppets.
G_is for Glasnost. In the former Soviet Union, it meant a drawing back of the Iron Curtain in the late 1980s, a breath of fresh air. Tressel has apparently embraced that concept, opening several practices to reporters and photographers this month (granted, cell phones were not permitted). It was just last January that Tressel and Ohio State were castigated by the Fiesta Bowl for providing 22 players on media day — none of which included starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor spoke with reporters for 45 minutes on media day in early August, and hasn't been available since. But it still appears Tressel has tried to allow some light into the program.
H_is for Homecoming. The last regular season matchup between Navy and Ohio State was the 1931 homecoming game at Ohio Stadium, with the Buckeyes winning 20-0. Playing in rain and sleet, the Buckeyes scored on three unconventional plays: a 35-yard Sid Gillman reception of a tipped pass, a 32-yard bocked punt return by Junius Ferrall and a 20-yard Ferrall interception return. Interceptions by OSU's Stu Holcomb and Mickey Vuchinich ended the final two Navy drives inside the OSU 15.
I_is for IHOP, a place the Buckeyes will not visit on Saturday morning. They get a breakfast buffet at The Blackwell after spending a comfortable night elsewhere at the luxurious hotel on campus.
J_is for Jam, as in Traffic. With many of the exit and entrance ramps to Ohio 315 closed due to construction, there will be a lot of angry people driving by the stadium because they can't get off the major artery to the game.
K_is for Strikeout. Two members of the Buckeyes played professional baseball before returning to the gridiron. Backup QB Joe Bauserman spent three seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates system as a pitcher. Torrence (see AA above) played two years down on the farm for the Houston Astros.
L_is for Linebackers. Tyler Moeller was penciled in to start at the position this fall, but a fight in a Florida bar led to a head injury that will keep him out for the season. That means the Buckeyes will depend even more on Ross Homan, Andrew Sweat, Austin Spitler, Brian Rolle, Etienne Sabino and freshmen Dorian Bell, Storm Klein and Jordan Whiting.
M_is for Miller, one Andrew Miller. Seldom seen in his first two years with the Buckeyes, Miller has surprised almost everybody by apparently stealing the starting left tackle job ahead of the more acclaimed J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams.
N_is for No. 6. That's the Buckeyes' AP ranking heading into 2009.
O_is for Script Ohio. You can bet there is one nervous souzaphone player out there waiting to dot the "i'' against Navy.
P_is for Pryor. Who else? What's riding on him? Only the whole season.
Q_is for Q-rating. It reflects how recognizable a person is. If the scale is 100, then Pryor must be in the 90s in Central Ohio — with most of the rest of the team in single digits.
R_is for Refreshments. Since Ohio State purchased the old Holiday Inn on Lane Avenue, WTVN's popular Hineygate has had to move next door, to the Thirsty I. Thousands of fans crammed into the old place for classic rock and strong beverages. But everything changes in time.
S_is for Sibling Rivalry. The Boren brothers could end up in the same pile. Justin, a transfer from Michigan, has been injured most of August but is expected to start on the line as a junior. Freshman Zach has been moved from LB to FB. The Homans, Adam and Ross, are also both Buckeyes; Adam will start at LB, Ross will likely get in on special teams and as a backup FB.
T_is for TWash. It's Pryor's nickname for wide receiver Taurian Washington, expected to be one of his favorite targets.
U_is for USC. It's a big deal that Navy's coming to Columbus, but no one is overlooking the fact that the Men of Troy are in the 'Shoe a week later. Get ready for "Tribute to Troy," the duh-duhduhduhduhduh-duh tune that the band plays over and over and over.
V_is for The Vest. Tressel is 8-0 in openers at Ohio State, 83-19 overall as a Buckeye and 218-76-2 in 23 years as a head coach.
W_is for Ws. The Buckeyes have won their last 29 home openers, dating to 1979.
X_is for X-ray vision, something you will not need to see the USC-Ohio State game. It'll be telecast by ESPN in standard definition, high-def and — in select theaters around the country — in 3-D. So get yourself a pair of those goofy glasses!
Y_is for Years. This is Ohio State's 120th season of intercollegiate football.
Z_is for QB Justin Zwick (2004-6), whose name comes last alphabetically among the thousands of football lettermen at Ohio State.
-- Rusty Miller
With opener in sights, Petrino speaks at luncheon
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the first time since 2001, Arkansas will play its season opener in Little Rock, and coach Bobby Petrino can't wait.
"I can't think of a better place to open the season than where we finished the season last year," Petrino said Monday.
The Razorbacks finished 2008 with a 31-30 win over LSU in Little Rock, and they've been looking forward to this season ever since. Arkansas is expecting a big improvement after going 5-7 in its first year under Petrino.
The Hogs play Missouri State on Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium.
"Between all those Razorback functions, all the press, and everything leading up to the game, it seems like we've talked about this game or the football season forever," Petrino said. "And that's coming from a guy who's not big on talking."
Petrino may not be as loose-lipped as some other coaches, but he entertained a packed ballroom at a Little Rock Touchdown Club luncheon for about 45 minutes Monday. Although he was vilified nationally for leaving the Atlanta Falcons in December 2007, Petrino was welcomed with open arms in Arkansas.
On Monday, a member of the audience asked Petrino how he's enjoying the state so far.
"I love it here. I think it's one of the great secrets, because I really had no idea what the state of Arkansas was like and what northwest Arkansas was like," Petrino answered. "Growing up in Montana, it's very similar to how I grew up with the lakes and streams and outdoors right next to you."
Before taking questions, Petrino talked a bit about his youth, particularly the various jobs he worked growing up. He told one amusing story about when he was a milkman and had to deliver to a house on a hill. He set the emergency brake, delivered the milk, turned around and ...
"There was the truck, rolling down the hill," Petrino said. "It was rolling right at two cars, and I took off running. At that time, I could still run a little bit, and I got there. I caught the truck. Only problem is, I went out the passenger side. The driver side door was shut.
"So I just stood there and watched a little bit, prayed a little bit, and it turned left, veered across the street, went down through the ditch, hit a telephone pole, snapped the telephone pole in half."
Petrino did spend some time talking about football, too. The Razorbacks are based in Fayetteville, but they play two games in Little Rock this season. The last time they opened a season in the state capital was eight years ago when they struggled to a 14-10 win over UNLV.
Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett will make his Arkansas debut at quarterback this weekend. He's expected to start, but Petrino says he'd like to get backup Tyler Wilson in the game at some point.
The defense remains a concern after the Razorbacks allowed 31 points per game last season. Petrino tried to be reassuring at the luncheon.
"We'll be better on defense — and when I say that, part of me thinks we can't help but be better," Petrino quipped. Petrino drew more laughs when asked to describe what a play call usually sounds like in the huddle.
"They can get wordy. It can be something like, 'Wing Right Flip, T-Fly, 339 Naked Right Rocket.' That's kind of a simple one," he said. "A lot of times, though, if there's too many syllables, we just throw the play out. The idea of dumb athletes is way gone."
The Razorbacks will have to be both tough and smart to withstand the rigors of the Southeastern Conference, which has produced the last three national champions. Petrino endeared himself to the crowd when he said Arkansas should be able to build a national championship contender.
He also allowed himself a little boasting on behalf of his conference, saying whoever wins the SEC will likely have an opportunity to take the national title.
"History has proven that if you go to the SEC championship game, win the championship game, you're playing for the national championship," Petrino said. "We just have to get it where it's like it's been lately. When you play for the national championship, we get a couple of those slow teams from the north and beat the heck out of them."
-- Noah Trister
Miami's early schedule may define season
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Central Florida opened its season with four consecutive opponents ranked among the AP Top 25 in 1999. Notre Dame did the same in 2000.
Miami, take note: No one has done it since.
"There might be a reason," Miami coach Randy Shannon said.
Maybe so, but Shannon isn't lamenting how the Hurricanes' 2009 schedule worked out.
Unless there's some substantial shifting in polls over the next month, the Hurricanes will become only the third team in at least the last 15 seasons to open with four ranked opponents. When Notre Dame did it nine years ago, Fighting Irish officials said they could only find one other instance of such a schedule abnormality — and that was Central Florida doing it the previous season.
"We're taking this as an opportunity. We're taking this the right way," left tackle Jason Fox said. "If we can come out of those first four games with a positive start, that can mean big things for our season. We've been working hard all summer to get there."
The run starts next Monday at No. 18 Florida State, and it could get progressively tougher each week. No. 15 Georgia Tech visits Miami Sept. 17, the Hurricanes play at No. 7 Virginia Tech Sept. 26, then host No. 3 Oklahoma on Oct. 3.
The rankings will change along the way, but there's little argument about which team has the toughest opening stretch in the nation.
"We've just been talking about the opportunity that we're going to see," cornerback Chavez Grant said. "All the first four teams are ranked and ranked pretty high. So for us, it's an opportunity to show people that we're ready to play. It's a big opportunity."
The last two teams to try something like this didn't exactly fare so well.
Central Florida went 0-4. Notre Dame went 2-2, and the Hurricanes know plenty of prognosticators won't be surprised if they emerge from their opening stretch with an ailing record.
"Let them throw the 0-4 and 2-2 things around at us," defensive back Randy Phillips said. "Just come back and holler at me after the fourth game. We'll see how that goes."
It's really the first three games that might be most significant to Miami.
Central Florida played as an independent in 1999, Notre Dame still is independent, so neither had to worry about conference standings. Miami's first three games are against Atlantic Coast Conference rivals, meaning the 'Canes could take control of the league race — or be out of the picture — before September ends.
"I like it," quarterback Jacory Harris said. "I can't wait, actually."
Miami's own recent history suggests this might be a problematic stretch.
Starting with the 40-3 loss in the 2005 Peach Bowl to LSU, the Hurricanes have lost 11 of their last 13 games against ranked teams, beating only No. 18 Boston College 17-14 to end the 2006 regular season, then topping No. 20 Texas A&M 34-17 on Sept. 20, 2007.
The 11 losses? Ugly.
Only four of those defeats were by seven or fewer points, and the last five losses — starting against Oklahoma in 2007 — have come by 38, 48, 30, 14 and 23 points, respectively. Despite all that, though, the Hurricanes sound undeterred.
"We're still confident. It's coming from hunger," wide receiver LaRon Byrd said. "If we do the things we've got to do right, all 11 players on offense, all 11 players on defense execute to their full potential, I don't see how we can lose. We'll know soon, is winning the ACC possible, is the BCS possible. We've got to clear those first games out of the way first."
-- Tim Reynolds
Yates takes control of No. 21 UNC's 'O'
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — There aren't many familiar faces around — or in front of — T.J. Yates these days.
Three starters are gone from the offensive line at No. 21 North Carolina, and so are last year's top three receivers. But with Yates back for a third season in charge of the Tar Heels' offense, coach Butch Davis is asking the quarterback to find ways to involve even more of his teammates.
"I would like us to be a lot more balanced offense," Davis said Monday. "We had three phenomenally talented wide receivers last year, and they deserved all the opportunities to touch the ball. I think it would have made us an even more lethal and a better offense, had we been able to incorporate other people besides those three."
That was a top priority this offseason after the exodus of Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster.
Those three combined to catch 114 passes last season — or, nearly two-thirds of the Tar Heels' total 182 receptions. Finding a way to make up for that lost production is critical for a North Carolina team that opens the season Saturday night against The Citadel, and starts a year ranked for the first time since 1998.
The job of spreading the ball around falls to Yates, who threw for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns in roughly half a season last year. If he can't find a way to ensure the offense is diversified, the Tar Heels' stay in the polls could be a short one.
"One of the things we worked on this summer (was) getting more of the passing concepts, more of the balls to the running backs and tight ends," Yates said. "Last year, we had the three guys, and we liked to throw to them a lot. We didn't get it as much to the backs and (other) receivers as we should've. Since we had those guys, we really didn't have to (diversify). But now, we don't have them anymore, so we definitely have got to distribute the ball more (to) all the skill players in the offense."
That probably means more opportunities for running backs Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston and tight end Zack Pianalto. Those three combined for 23 catches and two touchdowns last season.
"The best offenses that I had in Dallas, and certainly the best offenses in Miami, we had talented tight ends, talented running backs, talented wide receivers and you were spreading the ball around," Davis said. "There wasn't just one particular go-to guy."
Of course, it'll help if the Tar Heels can keep Yates protected with an offensive line that must replace starters Calvin Darity, Garrett Reynolds and Aaron Stahl.
North Carolina's two-deep lists two seniors and four freshmen as either starters or top backups on the line, and they'll be counted upon to keep upright the quarterback who broke an ankle last season and missed five games before returning to lead the Tar Heels to an 8-5 record and their first bowl game since 2004.
Yates proclaimed he was "very confident" in the new faces along the line and insisted he's never felt more comfortable running Davis' pro-style offense.
"My first season and a little bit of last season, I was still trying to learn all of the plays and learn the offense," Yates said. "But just having that completely embedded in my memory, it's more about preparing, watching film, getting ready to learn the defenses that I'm going to be seeing, more than learning the offense."
-- Joedy McCreary
Tolzien to start as QB in Badgers season opener
MADISON, Wis. — Fourth-year junior Scott Tolzien will get his first career start at quarterback when Wisconsin opens the season Saturday against Northern Illinois.
Tolzien beat out redshirt freshman Curt Phillips and senior Dustin Sherer, who started UW's final seven games last season.
Coach Bret Bielema said Monday that Tolzien has responded well to the pressure of being named the starter.
The depth chart shows Tolzien listed first with Phillips listed next to him, differentiated by a slash instead of the word "or." Several other positions, including junior Zach Brown and sophomore John Clay at running back, are listed in the same manner.
Bielema has said that Phillips will see playing time Saturday.
Tolzien, 6-3 and 205, from Rolling Meadows, Ill., redshirted in 2006, didn't play in 2007, and only had limited playing time in three games last season. A late commitment to the Badgers who was heavily recruited by Mid-American Conference schools, Bielema was asked if he was a "Plan B guy who panned out."
"He's the Scott Tolzien plan. Every guy was recruited in a different fashion. Some guys are going to come in with 20 offers, some are going to come in with none," Bielema said. "The greatest thing he's done is he's come in here and taken full advantage of every opportunity."
How well Tolzien responds as the starter is just one of the larger questions facing the Badgers as they try to recover from a disappointing 7-6 season.
Bielema, 39, has been candid in the lead-up to this season about mistakes that were made in 2008 and changes that have been made to fix them.
He has said there will be more discipline in the program. A tougher class attendance policy started in the second semester last year, shortly after Wisconsin was blown out 42-13 by Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.
There's a lot on the line for Bielema, the head coach personally selected by his predecessor and current athletic director Barry Alvarez.
After notching a 12-1 record his first season, Bielema's teams have gone just 16-10 since.
Tolzien isn't the only untested player the Badgers are resting their rebound hopes on this season. The depth chart lists only 10 seniors compared with 31 freshmen and sophomores.
The Badgers will have a chance to work out the kinks at home with three non-conference opponents to open the season.
Wisconsin has won 14 straight games at home again non-conference opponents since 2003. The Big Ten season also starts at home for Wisconsin against Michigan State.
-- Scott Bauer
UK's Brooks anxious to get going
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Players often bemoan preseason workouts, and Kentucky coach Rich Brooks says he too is ready to face some live competition after a summer camp that has seemed much longer than normal.
"I'm anxious," Brooks said. "I'm kind of frustrated. I'm kind of antsy. I'm kind of nervous. I want to go play, and I think a lot of our team is in the same mood."
It's not that it has been an offseason full of distractions. The only major one was the revelation that defensive end Jeremy Jarmon had tested positive for a banned substance and would have to forgo his senior year. Otherwise, the team has steered largely clear of major injuries or scandals.
Kentucky opens against Miami-Ohio Saturday in Cincinnati, giving the Wildcats their first opportunity to play at the home of the Bengals.
"It's going to bring out a whole new level of excitement," defensive tackle Corey Peters said. "We feed off that excitement. It gives us energy."
It will be Kentucky's first game at an NFL stadium since the 2007 Music City Bowl in Nashville.
"I think our fans will enjoy having all seat backs on their seats," Brooks joked. "For both teams, it's an exciting venue to play in a professional stadium as a changeup."
Perhaps the biggest adjustment Kentucky will face Saturday isn't the venue but the prospect of facing a team with an all-new coaching staff and therefore little available game tape to analyze. Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood now has his first head coaching job with the Redhawks.
"It's going to be a little bit of a mystery, but we know if we go out and execute our game plan, no matter what, we're going to be all right," offensive tackle Zipp Duncan said.
Brooks agrees the Wildcats go into the game "a little blind" due to the coaching changes, but he see many areas of optimism on his team — most notably increased speed on both sides of the ball, an immensely deep crop of receivers and a year of progress from quarterback Mike Hartline, who had many peaks and valleys last year in his first season as the starter.
Kentucky is riding a program-first three consecutive bowl victories, and part of that recent success is beating the teams it is supposed to beat. The Wildcats have won 14 consecutive nonconference games — most since a 17-game streak from 1954-60.
"We're continually trying to raise our team to the level of the upper half of the (Southeastern Conference)," Brooks said. "When you do that, you should be able to play pretty well against the rest of the nonconference schedule."
Kentucky and Miami have played 11 times, with nine of those in Lexington. The other two were in Oxford, with the schools splitting them.
Running back Alfonso Smith says he thinks this Kentucky team could surprise some people, particularly with the raves the passing game has generated during workouts.
Two years ago when Andre Woodson was quarterback, passing was the focus. Before that, it was running. This could be one of the Wildcats' most balanced offensive attacks in years, Smith said.
"The defense is going to have to really guess on what we're going to do instead of just load up the box for the run like they did last year," he said. "Now that we can stretch the field, that's going to really open up our play calling and our offense."
Defensively, Kentucky returns several top playmakers, including linebacker Micah Johnson and cornerback Trevard Lindley. Lindley, considered to be one of the top cornerbacks in the country, says he believes this team has the talent to hush the doubters.
"They've pretty much said that the past three years," Lindley said. "It's just another year, a time to go out and prove them wrong."
-- Jeffrey McMurray
Nerves already starting for Kragthorpe, Cardinals
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scott Long walked into the training room at the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex on Monday, turned to nobody in particular and then did something a little out of character for the normally reserved Louisville senior wide receiver.
He screamed. Really, really loud.
"I told 'em to get some energy in here, get some juice," Long said.
Hey, it's game week after all. And after an injury-plagued season in which he spent more time on crutches than on the field, Long wasn't about to apologize for turning the volume up to 11.
"I love this game, it's a very passionate game, I get very fired up about it," he said with a laugh.
Long isn't the only one.
Following the first losing season of the millennium, the Cardinals are eager to put 2008 behind them and move forward starting on Saturday night when they host Indiana State (0-1).
"We need to prove to ourselves that we can be good," defensive end Greg Scruggs said. "That's about the only thing we have to prove to anybody."
The memories of last fall — particularly the five-game losing streak to end the season — are still fresh, so don't expect Louisville to look past anyone, even the Sycamores. Indiana State has won one game in the last three seasons and opened 2009 with an overtime loss to Quincy, an NAIA school.
"We're not overlooking anybody because we're both playing for the same thing," Scruggs said. "When you're playing for the same thing, anything can happen."
Coach Steve Kragthorpe politely dismissed a question about whether he'd rest his starters early against Indiana State if things get out of hand.
"That'll be on a bulletin board by the end of the day," he said.
Besides, Kragthorpe is only too aware of all the questions he'll need answers to if the Cardinals are going to take a step forward this year.
Though he and the rest of the coaching staff did everything it could to prepare the Cardinals for the season — even going through the "Card March" pregame ritual during a walkthrough last weekend — Kragthorpe knows his players will have to learn some things on their own.
"There's always (a worry) about how your team is going to respond," Kragthorpe said. "We orchestrated as many of those things as we could during our mock game on Saturday ... but I think the biggest unknown is how (we're) going to respond when we turn the lights on and put people in the seats."
While he's confident new quarterback Justin Burke will thrive in his first start in three years, he also understands that all the drills don't compare to the real thing.
Burke, a transfer from N.C. State, won a quarterbacking duel with Adam Froman during camp. Teammates have praised the junior's poise, and Burke's attention to detail has helped him get a firm grasp of Kragthorpe's offense.
"I've got great confidence in Justin, I think he's going to be a great player for us," Kragthorpe said. "I think he's going to manage the game extremely well. He's a very, very bright guy and he'll be ultra-prepared. My biggest thing is I think I'm going to have to keep him calmed down and let him go out and play."
It's some advice Kragthorpe might have to use for himself too. He's added offensive coordinator to his job title, and he knows his future at Louisville could depend on what steps the Cardinals take this year. He's eager to get going.
"It's like I said at the kickoff luncheon, the best smell in the world is diesel fumes, means it's time to play football, so let's get on the bus and go," Kragthorpe said.
-- Will Graves
Larry Smith named Vandy's starting QB over Adams
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson went with youth over experience for his starting quarterback Monday.
Johnson announced redshirt sophomore Larry Smith is his starter, beating out senior Mackenzi Adams and redshirt junior Jared Funk. Smith started the Commodores' historic Music City Bowl win last December and is a former Alabama Mr. Football who led his high school team to a state title.
"All the time you do think of the future, but your big charge now is to win Saturday's game," Johnson said at his weekly news conference. "That's all we're concerned about. We're not playing for 2010, 2011. We're trying to have a big year this year. So our top charge is to try to get the player in there who's going to help us win games this year."
The Commodores love Smith's strong arm and his poise under pressure. Smith appeared in two games last season and was 19-of-34 for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception. That arm is what Johnson wants for an offense that must improve on 2008 when the Dores ranked 117th out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total offense.
"We're going to try to move the ball, throw the ball downfield a little bit more than we have the last couple years. Larry also has a presence in the pocket. I think he sees the field very well and knows what we're trying to do with the offense. He's also used to winning a bunch of games," Johnson said.
Smith led Prattville High to a state title as a senior when he was Alabama's Mr. Football in all classes. A three-year starter, Smith led Prattville to a 39-2 record and set school records by throwing for 6,011 yards and 54 touchdowns. Better still, Smith never lost a regular-season game in high school.
"The best way to develop it is to get him in the game," Johnson said.
The Commodores open the season Saturday night at home against Western Carolina, eager to pick up where they left off 2008. That was with a bowl victory that was the school's first in 53 years and capped the first winning season since 1982 at 7-6.
"We want the higher expectations," defensive captain and linebacker Patrick Benoist said. "We have high expectations for ourselves. I think it's great. We're in a great position right now. Just take it one step at a time. Western Carolina is the first step."
Improvement offensively will be key for Vandy to improve over 2008 after averaging an anemic 256.2 yards offense per game, much less than the 319.6 yards given up by the defense. Adams played in all 12 games last year but had more interceptions (eight) than TD passes (five).
Center Bradley Vierling said Smith is one of the most confident and calm players he's ever seen in the huddle.
"I've never been around a guy that's that young and really calm and collected in the huddle. It's always good when you can listen to a guy who's just focused and ready to go. A great quarterback, very strong arm, he did a lot of big things in high school, and hopefully he can bring some greatness here," Vierling said.
-- Theresa M. Walker
Virginia not ready to choose QB yet
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Although he's not ready to choose his starting quarterback, Cavaliers' coach Al Groh insisted Monday he has three good options.
With Virginia's opener against William & Mary just five days away, Groh said he doesn't have a timetable for naming the starter.
"Whatever seems appropriate," Groh said. "Whenever the moment is right. Whenever the scales tip in one direction or the other."
The candidates are: incumbent Marc Verica, who started nine games last season; Jameel Sewell, who started for two years before missing last season because of academics; and Vic Hall, a three-year starter in the secondary who broke records as a high school QB.
The Cavaliers, coming off a 5-7 season, made a lot of changes in the offseason, including installing the spread offense. And all three have received about the same amount of time to run the offense.
Sewell is the veteran, having played in 24 games before missing last season. A left-hander, he has completed 58 percent of his throws at Virginia with 17 touchdown passes.
Verica got the nod last season with Sewell gone and starter Peter Lalich dismissed from the team. In 11 games, he completed 64 percent of his passes but threw 16 interceptions against just eight touchdowns.
Hall, a 5-foot-9 quarterback in high school whose 13,770 yards of offense ranked fifth in the country at the time, moved back to quarterback for the Virginia Tech game last season. He ran for 109 yards and two TDs and is a captain for the second straight year.
The only sure thing is Hall will continue to return punts, which he has done throughout his Virginia career.
"If we had only one of the three participating, we would feel very good whichever one it was," he said. "We feel very comfortable with the flexibility and the versatility we have."
Although dual-quarterback situations often create discord and confusion, Groh said he's more interested in the results and the best way to get victories.
"Play one, play two, play three, play one every other play, just whatever it takes at that position to play well enough," he said, comparing the approach to a baseball team.
"If the starter can go all the way and win, then he's going to do that. Now, if he needs a little relief, then we are going to do that, too."
-- Hank Kurz Jr.
Running back depth gives Holtz plenty of comfort
GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina has settled on a starting running back for this weekend's opener against Appalachian State. Yet it might be the Pirates' depth behind Brandon Jackson that has coach Skip Holtz feeling so good about his backfield.
The Kentucky transfer maintained his hold on the top spot through preseason drills after a strong spring, while Dominique Lindsay also figures to start in two-back sets after fighting back from a knee injury. That duo is at the front of a group that also includes a pair of talented runners who have had injury or off-field issues and a junior college transfer who has performed well enough in the preseason to push his way onto the two-deep depth chart.
Depth shouldn't be a problem for the Pirates. Well, barring the unluckiest run of injuries, anyway.
"Every day they go out and compete for their job," Holtz said Monday. "There is no, 'I've made it.' You don't make it. You keep competing every day and as soon as you stop or stand still, someone's going past you."
Jackson entered fall camp as the No. 1 back after a spring in which he ran hard from the start. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound sophomore injured his right thumb in a recent team scrimmage, but Holtz said he expects Jackson should be ready to play.
Lindsay missed last season after getting hurt in preseason drills, but Holtz said the senior — also 5-10 and 200 pounds — has come back bigger, stronger and faster from his injury.
The Pirates are hoping that Jackson and Lindsay can help the team perform better most notably in short-yardage situations. Yet that burden figures to fall as much on the guys behind them, from juco transfer Giavanni Ruffin to Jonathan Williams — who seemed to have seized the lead role in the backfield last year before being suspended for various legal issues.
The depth chart doesn't mention Norman Whitley, another talented back who ran for nearly 700 yards and four touchdowns last year. Holtz said the junior fell behind early in camp as he recovered from a hip injury, but has the experience to figure into the rotation as well.
Ruffin, who transferred from College of the Sequoias in California, is the backup to Lindsay.
Williams, arguably the Pirates' most talented runner, ran for 380 yards and five touchdowns in seven games last year. When Holtz reinstated Williams before preseason workouts, he said the junior would have to work his way up from the bottom of the depth chart. He ended up earning the backup job to Jackson against the Mountaineers.
"He's out there every day and working hard," Holtz said. "He wants to get on the field, but he also sees the guys in front of him. Giavanni Ruffin is a junior college player and wants to play. Brandon Jackson sat for a year after transferring and wants to play. Dominique Lindsay sat out because of a knee and he's probably the most excited. They take advantage of every day out on that field."
-- Aaron Beard
N Dakota St's Nick Mertens named starting QB
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State quarterback Nick Mertens gets to keep his starting job. But his coaches are expecting to see better results than last season.
Bison coach Craig Bohl announced Monday that Mertens beat out junior college transfer Dante Perez for Thursday's season opener at Iowa State. Bohl said in fall camp that the job was open.
"He certainly performed well in practice," Bohl said of Mertens. "He's improved from last fall, but we're going to need to really have a solid performance from that position. We've said that all along. We've had great competition."
Mertens, a senior from East Grand Forks, Minn., said he expected to be the starter.
"I feel that it is my team," he said. "I'm one of the few returning starters we have on offense. Every quarterback wants to be a starter their senior year and I expected it from the get-go."
Mertens struggled at times last year, completing 152 of 260 passes for 2,004 yards. He threw 16 touchdowns, but also had 15 interceptions. The team's backup QB fared no better in a brief stint and eventually was kicked off the team.
"Some of the best quarterbacks in college have struggled as sophomores or juniors in their first year as a starter," Mertens said. "You build on every game experience and every practice experience you learn something new. If you can go in there and say, 'Hey, I've been in this experience before. I know what worked and what didn't work,' and make improvements from there."
Perez passed for more than 4,300 yards and 48 touchdowns in two seasons at Foothill Junior College in California. But the 5-foot-8½, 192-pound junior was slowed in August with a sprained ankle.
"Dante's done really well though. There are things Dante brings to the table that we're really excited about," Bohl said.
Bohl said he won't hesitate to use Perez against Iowa State if the Bison offense needs a boost.
"I think we're in a much different place than we were in the past," the coach said. "We feel like we've got a No. 2 quarterback who can go out and do some things."
Last year, when NDSU finished 6-5 overall and 4-4 in its first year in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, teams typically stacked up their defenses to stop the Bison running game. With Mertens still unproven and a lack of experience at wide receiver, Bohl is expecting the same from Iowa State.
"It's not like it's going to shock us. We're certainly prepared for that," he said.
-- Dave Kolpac
Hilltoppers familiar with long odds against Vols
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The scenario of this season's first game is something Western Kentucky coach David Elson has seen many times before, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier.
When the Hilltoppers open the season at Tennessee on Saturday, it'll mark the sixth time in the past seven years that the Hilltoppers have played on the road against an opponent from the Southeastern Conference.
So forgive the Hilltoppers if they aren't exactly intimidated by the promise of playing in front of a massive crowd against a team that — at least on paper — seems to overmatch them.
That doesn't mean it's any easier, though.
"It's all kind of educated guesses, but we think (Tennessee is) going to try to run the football," Elson said. "That's what they're known for. Their quarterback situation, not that it's unsettled because they've named the starter, but I just think any time things are new you want to go with that comfort level in everything you see."
The Hilltoppers will be the first opponent for first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin's has already made a splash with his brash talk that's gotten him in trouble with the NCAA.
But Kiffin's mouth appears to be the least of the Hilltoppers troubles.
Tennessee's All-American defensive back Eric Berry comes into the game as a point of emphasis for the Hilltoppers, who saw their share of talented defensive backs last season, most notably Victor Harris of Virginia Tech.
It will be a challenge for redshirt senior quarterback Brandon Smith, who will make his first start career in the 102,000-seat Neyland Stadium.
"Me and some of the older guys, we've seen places like that," Smith said. "We have to go in there and take care of business."
Crowd noise is something that Elson has prepared for since the spring, blaring music and radio static over the stadium load speakers.
"We've already done it," Elson said. "We've done it throughout camp and offensively, we're aware of it and done it. So we'll work our best on it and it's still going to be difficult no matter how you slice it."
UM football names captains
MISSOULA, Mont. — University of Montana football players have chosen seniors Shawn Lebsock, Marc Mariani and Shann Schillinger as team captains for the 2009 season.
Lebsock, a linebacker from Billings Skyview, will be starting for a second season. He has 190 career tackles and is the team's second leading returning tackler.
Mariani, a wide receiver from Havre, is ranked sixth at Montana in career all-purpose yards. Last season, he earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors at both wide receiver and punt returner, when he set a school record with 2,265 all-purpose yards. He had 1,308 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for the Griz last season.
Schillinger, a free safety from Baker, has played in 42 consecutive games for the Griz. He was Montana's second-leading tackler last season with 108 stops and earned second-team all-conference honors.
Montana coach Bobby Hauck says more than 20 players on the team received votes to be team captains. He says the three that were chosen are good players, good people and will be great leaders.
Saban: 1 loss won't knock Bama, Tech from hunt
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban finds it horrible to even have questions about whether a team could get knocked out of national championship contention after losing the opener.
He doesn't think that would be an issue for either the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide or No. 7 Virginia Tech after Saturday night. Saban noted that SEC teams have won the last three national titles with at least one loss.
The Hokies also have a tough schedule with early games against Nebraska and Miami to improve their stock quickly if they lose.
Saban also released 'Bama's depth chart. Among the changes: Mark Barron starts at strong safety while Justin Woodall shifts to replace Rashad Johnson at free safety. Terry Grant, a forgotten man in last year's backfield, is listed second-team behind Mark Ingram.
Miles expects to see improved Huskies in opener
BATON ROUGE, La. — Although Washington did not win a game last season, LSU head coach Les Miles says he expects to see a much-improved Huskies squad in both teams' season opener this Saturday night at Washington.
Miles said he recalls from his time as an assistant coach at Michigan that he faced Washington in the Rose Bowl and that the Huskies have a long tradition of success and an ability to recruit top football players.
Miles also notes that the Huskies have an experienced quarterback returning in Jake Locker and adds that Washington should be healthy to start the season.
Meanwhile, Miles says Jordan Jefferson will start at quarterback for No. 11 LSU, and that freshman Russell Shepard will play some at running back, receiver or quarterback.
Washington not afraid to use freshmen
SEATTLE — New Washington coach Steve Sarkisian isn't going to be afraid to play some of his younger players in the Huskies season opener Saturday against No. 11 LSU.
The Huskies released their depth chart on Monday ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Tigers and Sarkisian's first game as Washington's head coach.
Washington has listed freshman James Johnson as a possible starter at wide receiver and freshman Desmond Trufant as a possible starter at cornerback. Sarkisian says a number of freshman will likely play this season as the Huskies try and recover from last year's 0-12 record, the worst in school history.
-- Tim Booth
Lopina to start at QB for WSU
SPOKANE, Wash. — Veteran Kevin Lopina will start at quarterback for Washington State this Saturday in the season opener against Stanford.
But Marshall Lobbestael will also take snaps, perhaps as early as the third series of the game.
The two split the majority of the quarterback time last year, when they were not battling injuries.
They've been locked in a battle for the starting job all fall, and coach Paul Wulff said neither has locked up the starting job. He is still waiting to see which one plays best in game action.
The Cougars host Stanford at Martin Stadium in Pullman.
Fedora considers holding out Fletcher, Brown
JACKSON, Miss. — Coach Larry Fedora says he will consider holding tailback Damion Fletcher and wide receiver DeAndre Brown out of Saturday's game against Alcorn State.
Fletcher injured his hamstring early this preseason and Brown is recovering from a broken leg suffered last December in the New Orleans Bowl.
Brown has a doctor's appointment scheduled for Monday and Fedora will know more after the visit. Brown had been experiencing swelling near the fracture and has been held out of contact this preseason.
Fedora said a decision on both players will be made later this week.
Utah not naming starter
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says he won't announce the Utes' new starting quarterback before Thursday night's season opener against Utah State.
Whittingham says he wants to avoid as many distractions as possible for the new quarterback in the days before the 19th-ranked Utes try to extend the nation's longest winning streak.
Junior college transfer Terrance Cain has been taking most of the snaps with the first-string offense and is widely expected to be the new starter. Cain has been competing for the job with freshman Jordan Wynn.
Benjamin tops Wyoming's QB depth chart
LARAMIE, Wyo. — Wyoming coach Dave Christensen has named junior college transfer Robert Benjamin starting quarterback for the Cowboys.
Benjamin was among the first signees for Wyoming's new coach in December. He wasn't able to join the team until this fall when he transferred from Phoenix Community College.
Christensen on Monday credited Benjamin's athleticism and said he's been throwing the ball well in practice.
Wyoming's depth chart lists freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels as the backup quarterback. Senior Karsten Sween is listed at third-string.
Wyoming kicks off the season Saturday with a home game against Weber State.
Student tickets go quickly for Oregon-Boise State
BOISE, Idaho — It didn't take long for student tickets to Thursday's Oregon-Boise State game to sell out.
Students slept in line starting early Monday morning for tickets that went on sale at 10 a.m.
Boise State officials say the 5,000 student tickets were sold out in 80 minutes. Hundreds of students were turned away empty handed.
Each student with an ID was able to get one free ticket and buy one $32 guest ticket. Each student was allowed to collect tickets for a total of three student ID holders.
No. 14 Boise State takes on No. 16 Oregon in a game that's expected to set an attendance record because Bronco Stadium recently added 1,500 bleacher seats.
Thursday's game marks the first time a ranked opponent has visited Boise State during the regular season.
Chattanooga sets season ticket sales record
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has set a record for football season ticket sales.
The school said in a news release Monday it has topped the 2,300 mark. The old record was 2,300 in 1997.
The Mocs' motto for the season is "Restore the Glory" under school alum and first-year head coach Russ Huesman. Their first game is Thursday against Glenville State.
LSU football star Marvin Stewart dies at 97
BATON ROUGE, La. — Marvin "Moose" Stewart, a star center for the LSU football team in the 1930s, has died. He was 97.
The school said he died Sunday in Pebble Beach, Calif.
Stewart and Gaynell Tinsley led the Tigers to Southeastern Conference titles in 1935 and 1936. He was an all-conference selection his senior season.
In 1993, marking the 100th anniversary of LSU football, Stewart was the center on the Early Years Team of the Century. He is a member of the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Stewart lived in Baton Rouge most of his life and moved to California with his family in the late 1990s.
