Texas and Big 12 Capsules: TCU starts fresh at bottom to work up pyramid goal
FORT WORTH — The pyramid of goals that hangs prominently in TCU’s meeting room is a visual reminder of what the Horned Frogs have accomplished and what their goals are.
Each time a goal is reached, sixth-ranked TCU shades that box in with the school color.
The chart that was mostly filled out in purple last season when the Horned Frogs became a BCS buster has been replaced by a fresh one. Only the bottom rungs are shaded, with a lot of uncolored boxes above that.
"To see that every day, it kind of ingrains it in your mind," center Jake Kirkpatrick said Tuesday. "It’s hard to know that we got so high last year and now we have to restart."
Never before had TCU filled in as much of its pyramid as last year with its first undefeated regular season since 1938.
The only boxes left unshaded on last season’s pyramid were "Go To BCS Game — and Win" since the Frogs lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, and the ultimate goal at the pinnacle that has never changed in coach Gary Patterson’s 10 seasons as head coach: "No. 1, National Champions."
Now the Frogs are starting at the bottom and trying to work their way back up the pyramid again. The shaded pieces for now include attitude, extra effort, mental toughness, chemistry and accountability.
"If you went through what we just went through the last three weeks of two-a-days and as hot as it was, and understand our kids came out of it, you’d color that in purple," Patterson said. "I wish I had a darker shade of purple."
The only way to shade in more boxes now is by winning games.
TCU opens its season Saturday night against No. 24 Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium. The Frogs have held two workouts at the $1.2 billion showplace, about 20 miles from campus where the next Super Bowl is being played, to get out the "oohs" and "aahs" of being inside.
Only the middle of the pyramid changes each year, to reflect the games being played. The top two and bottom two rungs are always the same on the pyramid, which is surrounded by the signature of every player.
"It starts at the bottom, it doesn’t have anything to do with wins," Patterson said. "It has all do with you, what kind of football team do you have, and how do you grow up. And then as you climb that deal, it has to do with wins."
While the goals are very visible, Patterson knows the pyramid — what’s shaded, and more impressionably, what is not — helps keep the team from focusing on what’s at the top.
"Right there," he said, pointing to the pyramid. "I don’t talk about BCS bid, I don’t talk about being 12-0. That’s where you make mistakes. ... If you start talking we’re going to start in the middle of the pyramid, then you’ll be sadly disappointed. And hopefully our team’s not doing that."
Senior and fourth-year starting quarterback Andy Dalton, who is tied with Sammy Baugh for the most career victories (29), likes having the pyramid to see every day.
"We’re hoping to get back where we were last year. We saw it last year, we came so close," Dalton said. "You hear it all, but to see it up there, to see the things that you’ve done. ... Work you way up there. It all starts with the foundation."
Houston WR sues Marshall, league over 2008 injury
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards, who broke his leg when he ran into a metal service cart in an October 2008 game at Marshall, accused the school in a lawsuit of maintaining an unsafe playing field.
Edwards was running full speed for a long pass when his right shin crashed into the cart just beyond the end zone. Edwards suffered a compound fracture and a rod was inserted in his lower right leg during surgery the next day in Huntington.
The lawsuit was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial. Also named as defendants were Conference USA and game referee Gil Gelbke, whom the lawsuit said was in charge of inspection and notification.
Marshall had a duty to maintain its football field in a reasonably safe manner, including the removal of obstructions, the lawsuit said. It cites NCAA football rules requiring the officials to remove any markers and obstructions from the playing surface that might be hazards to players.
"We are aware of the lawsuit and have advised our attorneys," Conference USA said in a statement. "It was an unfortunate accident and we are glad that Patrick has recovered so well from it. We will have no further comment regarding ongoing litigation."
Gerald Austin, the league's director of football officials, declined comment.
Marshall spokesman Matt Turner declined to comment on pending litigation, but said the university had not received a copy of the suit.
The Conference USA game was televised nationally and the accident was shown thousands of times on the Internet — even Edwards said he saw the replay of the gruesome injury.
Marshall officials apologized afterward and several Thundering Herd players and then-coach Mark Snyder visited Edwards in the hospital.
Edwards, who said at the time he held no animosity toward Marshall, missed the remainder of the 2008 season but returned to catch 85 passes for 1,021 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2009.
-- John Raby
Big 12
No. 7 Sooners moving past sense of 'entitlement'
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Winning sure looked easy at Oklahoma when there was a group of NFL-bound stars scoring points at a record pace and playing for the national championship.
Once those stars were sidelined, there was a dose of reality for the players charged with taking over. Instead of cruising right back to the BCS, the Sooners last year suffered through a five-loss season filled with injuries but also with lessons.
"We had a sense of entitlement going into games on Saturdays," said quarterback Landry Jones, who was called upon to replace 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. "Just because we were OU and Oklahoma, we were going to win games, and kind of lost where we came from in hard work and preparation."
Entering their season opener Saturday night against Utah State, the No. 7 Sooners are hoping to right what went wrong from the very start last season.
Along with Bradford getting injured at the end of the first half, Oklahoma played an undisciplined first game of the season in losing 14-13 to BYU. A new offensive line committed penalty after penalty, receivers dropped passes and the defense finally broke down late when it simply couldn't afford to do so.
Instead of blaming the struggles on injuries to Bradford and fellow first-round NFL draft pick Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma wants to prevent the same mistakes from popping up again early this season.
"If you go out there and see a bunch of guys jumping offsides and grabbing and holding and falling on the ground, which it was last year in the opener, then we haven't made strides," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Tuesday. "If you see a cleaner deal, maybe we're making progress. If we keep building and playing that way, maybe we can be a strong team."
Wilson questioned whether tight ends Trent Ratterree and James Hanna had a "sense of urgency" to be ready to play right away since they entered training camp behind a proven superstar in Gresham. But suddenly, when Gresham was hurt just days before the opener, both were thrust into playing roles.
Jones followed in replacing Bradford, and the trend kept going. Due to injuries, no offensive player started every game for the Sooners last season.
Now, any backup on the team should realize what can happen in the blink of an eye.
"It kind of just made us a little hungrier, made us want to work harder and it opened our eyes a little bit," Jones said.
The Sooners don't figure to face the same sort of challenge in this year's opener, considering that this time they're much healthier, facing an unranked opponent and doing so on a home field where they've won 30 straight games. But regardless of who's on the other sideline, they want to be performing at a much higher level coming out of the gate.
"Everyone wants to talk about the other team, and for us it's really about us," coach Bob Stoops said. "It's really focusing on how well can we play. How well can we execute? Will we take care of the football and be responsible with the ball? Will we remain penalty-free and do the things to execute cleanly and to play as well as we're able to play?"
They haven't played any games to prove it yet, but the Sooners are encouraged by the body language, attitudes and work ethic shown so far in practice.
"Being here at Oklahoma, we're known as being champions and stuff like that, and last year we had kind of a disappointing season as far as to what standards we wanted to meet," Jones said.
"We couldn't just go through the motions in practice and stuff like that and show up on Saturday and win games. We actually have to work for stuff and we have prepare like champions if we're going to be called champions." Notes: DE Frank Alexander (ankle) did not practice Tuesday. ... Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said surgery has been "definitely ruled out" on LB Austin Box's injured back. ... Stoops expects to use freshmen RB Brennan Clay and WR Trey Franks, and possibly WR Cameron Kenney, as his kickoff return men. He doesn't plan to use starting RB DeMarco Murray in that role in the opening week but possibly later in the season.
-- Jeff Latzke
Veteran Oklahoma radio announcer Barry retiring
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Bob Barry Sr. announced Tuesday that he plans to retire as the radio play-by-play voice of Oklahoma football and men's basketball after the upcoming season.
Barry has been the radio voice of the Sooners for the last 20 years and he also had a 12-year stint in the job at the beginning of his career. In between, he handled the play-by-play for Tulsa basketball games and then for Oklahoma State football and basketball.
This will be his 50th year calling Division I games in the state.
"Something you love to do your entire life and you're able to do it and get paid for it, it's hard to let go," Barry said. "Really, part of me doesn't want to let go but the other part says, 'It's time.'"
Barry, who will turn 80 in February, said he reached his decision because of health considerations and because he didn't feel his vision allowed him to perform up to his standards.
"You can't quite see as well as you used to, and the press boxes keep getting farther away," he said.
Barry has been the voice of the Sooners since 1991, when he returned for his second stint at the university.
He started out doing football and basketball games at Norman High School and got noticed by Sooners football coach Bud Wilkinson, whose sons attended the school.
"Bud Wilkinson was not only a great football coach," university president David Boren said. "He was very good at selecting the voice of the Sooners."
Barry went through a tryout and was selected as the play-by-play announcer in 1961, holding the job until the team's radio rights changed in 1972.
"Bob is in rarefied air," athletic director Joe Castiglione said. "You don't get a chance to celebrate someone's legacy, don't get a chance to see people stay attached to a team as long as a person did in Bob Barry."
Boren said Barry will continue to handle special projects for the university and do color commentary and pregame shows for the Sooners.
"It simply would not be the same at OU without Bob Barry," Boren said.
-- Jeff Latzke
Pelini: Fans might not know Neb QB until game time
LINCOLN, Neb. — In football-mad Nebraska, it's the biggest state secret.
Four days from the opener, the eighth-ranked Cornhuskers still haven't named a starting quarterback.
Will it be Zac Lee, last year's starter, Cody Green, Lee's backup, or spring sensation Taylor Martinez?
Coach Bo Pelini and his staff aren't letting on. Pelini said Tuesday the answer might not be revealed to fans until Nebraska's offense takes the field against Western Kentucky on Saturday night.
Not even receiver Brandon Kinnie has an inkling.
"You'd think as a receiver I would have a pretty good idea who's going to be throwing me the ball," Kinnie said. "They're all taking the same number of reps. I can't tell. Those guys (coaches) are good at keeping it hush-hush."
Lee and Green have been off-limits to the media since the first day of practice, and Pelini doesn't let players who haven't appeared in a game, like Martinez, to speak with reporters.
Pelini said he hasn't given any of the quarterbacks an indication of who will take the first snap.
"I have a decent idea," Pelini said, when asked if he knew, "but a lot can happen between now and Saturday."
"I want the competition to continue, and I also don't want it to become a circus," Pelini said.
Pelini, who has been fractious with the media throughout preseason practice, has bristled at almost daily questions about the quarterback situation.
He also has made clear his disdain for social media, such as Twitter and fan message boards where coaches and players are sliced and diced.
"I don't want them to have to deal with the scrutiny and all the other things that go on if and when the announcement is made," Pelini said. "We'll handle that so we do the right thing by the kid — not only the kid who's going to be the starter but also the kids who aren't going to walk out there the first time."
For Nebraska's ardent fans, the hardest part is not knowing. The veil of secrecy has prompted all kinds of theories.
Maybe no one has stood out enough to grab the job. Maybe Pelini is delaying an announcement to keep Green or Martinez from transferring if Lee, a senior, is the starter. Maybe Pelini fears a letdown by the backups if he names a starter now.
Lee started 12 games last season for an offense that ranked 99th in the nation. Lee was at his best in the 33-0 Holiday Bowl victory over Arizona, but earlier in the season Nebraska went through a four-game stretch in which it produced four touchdowns.
Before the bowl, in which Nebraska scored on seven of eight possessions and rolled up 396 yards, the Huskers were on track to have their least productive offense since 1968.
Lee missed spring practice to recover from surgery on his right (throwing) elbow, allowing Green and Martinez to get all the snaps with the No. 1 offense.
Martinez received glowing reports in the spring, and all indications are that the redshirt freshman has continued to make a strong push through preseason practices.
"He's a very dynamic athlete," Pelini said. "He can run, he's explosive. He has great poise. He can make all the throws."
Green started two games as a freshman last season, going the distance against Baylor but getting pulled in a 10-3 win over Oklahoma after the Huskers generated 19 total yards and no first downs on their first five possessions.
Pelini has praised all three quarterbacks and insists the Huskers will be in good hands no matter who gets the job.
"It's a good problem to have," Pelini said.
Or a potentially devastating one for a team with championship expectations if a quarterback doesn't emerge as a consistent and reliable player.
The coach isn't worried about the uncertainty hurting the offense's ability to develop chemistry.
"The team is going to rally around whoever is out there," Pelini said. "Everyone wants to focus on the quarterback position. There are other positions where that starting job is up in the air. That makes your guys come with an edge and understand the importance of performing in practice."
-- Eric Olson
QB Gabbert holds the reins at Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert made a grand debut in last year's 37-9 victory over Illinois. It's a stronger, more experienced Gabbert that has teammates heavily anticipating an encore in Saturday's season-opener against the Illini in St. Louis.
A year ago, Gabbert made his first start since taking over from the departed Chase Daniel and went 25 for 33 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards and a score.
That performance paved the way for a solid sophomore campaign in which Gabbert finished second in the Big 12 in passing yards (3,593) and passer rating (140.5). He put up those numbers despite a high ankle sprain suffered on Oct. 8 against Nebraska that limited his mobility for the remainder of the season.
"Blaine has progressed to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country," receiver T.J. Moe said. "You aren't going to find a guy who can make the types of throws that he can."
Missouri needs more from Gabbert these days than his skill on the field. The program has been hit by three arrests related to driving while intoxicated charges and suspended tailback Derrick Washington was charged Monday with sexually assaulting a woman over the summer.
"From a leadership standpoint, he is doing an awful lot right now, and that's good," head coach Gary Pinkel said of his junior quarterback. "We need that from him."
Gabbert's biggest challenge may be finding someone to throw to. Missouri lost standout receiver Danario Alexander, who set school records in receptions (113), yards (1,781) and touchdowns (14) a year ago.
"Every one of our receivers are pumped up," top returning pass catcher Jerrell Jackson said. "We know it's our year to step up, everyone is excited to get out there and play."
The 6-foot-5 Gabbert has been putting in extra work this summer in preparation for his second collegiate start at the Edward Jones Dome. He hit the practice field all summer, building chemistry with his young receivers, and spent hours in the film room learning from mistakes he made last season.
"The game has really slowed down for him," Pinkel said. "His knowledge base is so much larger. He's worked tremendously hard to up his game to the next level."
Gabbert attributes his extensive knowledge of the spread offense to those film sessions. His hard work hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates.
"He is like a 10-year veteran out there," backup quarterback James Franklin said. "He knows exactly what he's doing."
As for who is in charge on the field, there is no dispute among the Tiger offense. They understand how instrumental Gabbert will be in whatever success they have in 2010.
"You never argue with the quarterback, you do what he wants," Moe said. "You can give him your input, but he runs the show."
Banks is gone, but plenty of possibilities for KSU
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Brandon Banks is gone now. Kansas State's electrifying kick returner and wide receiver has taken his quick feet and dazzling speed to the NFL and a tryout with the Washington Redskins.
Just who will wind up replacing him may be anybody's guess because no fewer than seven candidates headed into preseason drills with a chance.
Tramine Thompson and Aubrey Quarles were listed No. 1 at the two wide receiver positions on the depth chart for Saturday's season opener against UCLA. But several others, including Chris Harper, Adrian Hilburn and Sheldon Smith, were also competing.
All are bigger than the 5-foot-7 Banks, who was fifth nationally in kickoff returns last season. Probably none is as quick. But all have promise and one — Harper — can boast the advantage of playing quarterback in the Pac-10.
"All of them are basically new in regards to playing time, but I'm pleased with the progress they have made," coach Bill Snyder said.
Only three have any experience with Kansas State — Quarles, Smith and Torrel Miller.
But Harper and Brodrick Smith played at other universities in 2008 before redshirting as Wildcats last season. Hilburn, Quarles and Sheldon Smith also have junior college experience.
"This is a little different type of receiving corps," Snyder said. "They're bigger, more physical guys."
Wide receivers coach Michael Smith likes the thought of having more heft in his pass-catchers.
"I think people think that a lot of receivers are finesse guys, but there's a great deal of toughness that people don't see because we're not in the trenches like the O-line or D-line," he said. "But it takes courage to go across the middle and lay your body out, knowing that you're going to get hit."
The coach said the group takes instruction well. He said he just tells them to be consistent, be the hardest-working group of guys on the team, and have fun.
Quarles said while the group is definitely different from last year, he feels they will bond and that they are ready for this season.
A senior, Quarles redshirted in 2009. He played in all 12 games in 2008 and started four times, totaling 34 catches for 407 yards.
"I feel that I have a great set of hands and I run good routes," Quarles said. "I mean I am not afraid to go across the middle and catch the ball. Not that anybody was afraid, but that is something that I bring to the table."
Like Quarles, Harper redshirted during the 2009 season. A coveted recruit out of high school, he played at Oregon his freshman year. After five games as a quarterback, he switched to wide receiver and became Oregon's first player in eight years to score a touchdown running, passing and receiving.
At 6-feet-1-inch and 234 pounds, the Wichita native presents the biggest target for Carson Coffman, who won the quarterback job in competition with Collin Klein and Sammuel Lamur.
"He is really smart coming from the quarterback position," Quarles said of Harper. "He is just an athlete out there. He is just another big body and big target to throw the ball to out there as well."
The youngest contender is Thompson, a redshirt freshman.
So how effectively will the Wildcats' receiver corps wind up being?
"Ask me in December and I probably could give you a decent answer," said Snyder.
Stoops chooses O'Hara as starting kicker
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley.
O'Hara emerged late last season as the Sooners' kicker after Stevens and Tress Way struggled. However, Stoops had expressed disappointment throughout training camp that none of his kickers had performed at a consistently high level.
Now that he's chosen a starter, Stoops says O'Hara "needs to be given an opportunity to keep it and improve with it as opposed to some knee-jerk reaction and change it every kick."
All chairback seats must be rent at Huskers' games
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football fans who enjoy a more comfortable seat are going to be required to rent chairback seats this year and not allowed to bring their own to Memorial Stadium.
There are 18,000 new chairback seats available. Rental is $4 if pre-paid for the season and $5 on game day.
Associate athletic director for facilities and events Butch Hug said many chairbacks sold in stores are larger than Memorial Stadium's allotted seat space. Hug said the department's new chairbacks have thicker seats and fiberglass backs that are molded for the comfort of the fan and do not take up the knee space of the person seated behind them.
The Huskers open the season Saturday night against Western Kentucky.
Missouri wide receiver Jackson to start opener
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri wide receiver Jerrell Jackson will start in the opener against Illinois, less than a month since breaking a bone in his left wrist.
Jackson is the Tigers' top returning wide receiver with 37 receptions and two touchdowns last year. The team said Monday that Jackson will be in the lineup Saturday against Illinois in St. Louis. He will have a small cast on the wrist.
Jackson leads a group of largely untested wide receivers for the Tigers, who went 8-5 last season.
