College Football Capsules: No. 6 TCU not fulfilled by reaching BCS last year
FORT WORTH (AP) — No more questions about if TCU can make it to a BCS game. The Horned Frogs did that last season.
Yet, there was something less than fulfilling for the Frogs after accomplishing only part of their long-desired pursuit. The goal was to get to a BCS game — and win it.
"All last season, we were like, 'OK, we deserve to be in the BCS, we deserve to be there,'" receiver Curtis Clay said. "When we did get there, we didn't show the nation that we did deserve to be there."
After going 12-0 in the regular season with a bunch of lopsided victories, the Frogs lost 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl to fellow BCS buster Boise State.
"That is motivation for us to get back and win again," said senior quarterback Andy Dalton, who had three interceptions in the bowl game after only five in the regular season.
With its highest preseason ranking, sixth-ranked TCU just might get that chance for a BCS do-over.
Dalton, TCU's career passing leader, is back for his fourth season as the starter. And he is surrounded by most of the skill players that helped set school records with 498 points and 5,937 total yards last season.
"I feel like we should be better this year," said Dalton, whose 29 career victories are tied with "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh for the most in school history. "Obviously the bowl game didn't go as well as we wanted, but that's not what defined the season. See everything we accomplished."
The only offensive starters gone are All-Mountain West left tackle Marshall Newhouse and leading rusher Joseph Turner.
All-MWC right tackle Marcus Cannon, who didn't allow a sack last season, is sliding to the left side. Turner was part of a trio of runners who had at least 600 yards, with sophomore running backs Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker both back.
And coach Gary Patterson, going into his 10th season as head coach after three years as the Frogs' defensive coordinator, always has good defenses — No. 1 nationally in total defense the last two seasons, and four of the last 10.
There were significant losses after All-American end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington were both picked in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, and a pair of four-year starting cornerbacks graduated.
But there are 24 of 30 defensive lettermen back on a unit known for constantly rotating players and having plenty of depth.
Wayne Daniels, the returning defensive end, had 5½ sacks last season. Greg McCoy and Jason Teague, the new starting cornerbacks, both had two interceptions and made starts as injury replacements. Junior linebacker Tank Carder's 89 tackles trailed only Washington.
Before finally making it to a BCS game, there had been some near-misses for TCU under Patterson. There was a 10-0 start in 2003 and the one-loss team two years later, when the Frogs' only loss was at SMU the week after upsetting Oklahoma in the season opener. TCU has won 11 games four of the past six seasons.
Last year was the Frogs' first undefeated regular season since 1938, their only AP national championship. They won their last seven games by at least 27 points, including against Utah and BYU.
Patterson says he changed his approach "a little bit" last year with a message that also applies again this season with a lot of returning players and big expectations.
"Coaches are really bad about telling you if you don't do this, you're never going to live up to that expectation," Patterson said. "Well last year, I didn't do that. I just finally decided at some point in time you get tired of talking negatives because pretty soon (players) listen to you and they follow suit. That's what they hear."
The adjusted message?
"I just told them, here's what we have in front of us, here's the level of talent that we have," he said. "You live up to it, you've got a chance to do this."
That doesn't mean TCU has abandoned the underdog, chip-on-its-shoulder mentality.
Senior center Jake Kirkpatrick said the Frogs went through one of their toughest summers ever because the coaches aren't going to let them "just be mediocre."
The Frogs' season opener is Sept. 4 in a nationally televised game against 24th-ranked Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium, the $1.2 billion NFL palace only about 20 miles from the TCU campus.
That provides a quick opportunity for TCU to prove it is indeed one of the nation's best teams.
"For the longest time, we were saying we deserve to mentioned with those top-tier teams," Clay said. "I think now that we are being mentioned, it's very important this season to show that we deserve to be here.
"We were always trying to prove everyone wrong, and now I think our goal is to prove everyone right."
Texas and USC schedule games for 2017 and 2018
AUSTIN (AP) — Texas and Southern California, who last met in the Rose Bowl in 2006, have scheduled games in 2017 and 2018.
The Longhorns will travel to Los Angeles in 2017 with the Trojans going to Austin the next year.
Texas beat the Trojans 41-38 in the 2005 season BCS championship game to claim the Longhorns' first undisputed national championship since 1969. USC holds a 4-1 edge over the Longhorns, with the last regular-season meeting in 1967.
USC completed its 2013 schedule with the addition of a home game against Utah State on Sept. 21. The Trojans are 4-0 all-time in the series.
Texas senior guard Allen to miss first game
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas senior right guard Tray Allen has not recovered from a left foot injury and will miss the first game against Rice.
The announcement came from Longhorns coach Mack Brown on Thursday. Fifth-ranked Texas plays at Rice on Sept. 4. Allen hurt the foot early in training camp.
Texas is trying to rebuild an offensive line that lost three multiyear starters from the team that won the Big 12 last season. Brown said he will release the team depth chart on Monday.
Big 12
Freshmen to watch in the Big 12
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — If Bob Stoops had his way, the practice of redshirting incoming freshmen to save them for later would be scrapped at Oklahoma.
He'd rather have his freshmen contribute right away for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
"I believe that the quality of players we're getting, they're not going to be here for that fifth year," Stoops said. "And they're better players in their second year, maybe when we need them more, having played even a little bit in their first year."
Stoops' crop of first-year players this season have him keeping those redshirts in the closet more than ever.
Nickel back Tony Jefferson, cornerback Aaron Colvin and linebacker Corey Nelson could all get playing time on defense, and Kenny Stills leads a trio of receivers trying to break into the rotation. Trey Millard made such an impact in his first few weeks of practice that he's set to start at fullback.
"I've been saying it over and over, this is a really good class and these guys are really good players," Stoop said.
The Sooners aren't the only ones with freshmen who could make an immediate impact. Here are some Big 12 freshmen to watch:
Mike Davis, WR, Texas: Does Longhorns coach Mack Brown need to say much more than this about the Dallas native? "Mike is a very confident young man. When he walks in the room he knows he's good." He's among a higher number of freshmen Brown plans to play this season coming off of a loss in the BCS championship game, including defensive linemen Reggie Wilson and Jackson Jeffcoat, the son of ex-Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jim Jeffcoat.
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State: Coach Mike Gundy first noticed the speedy Huntsville, Texas, native toward the end of his sophomore year in high school, then got an early commitment and anxiously waited to get him signed. "His highlight tape went on for about an hour," Gundy recalls. He's already had an 80-yard punt return TD in a preseason scrimmage.
Jake Matthews, OL, Texas A&M: The son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews certainly has the pedigree to be a force and he's been practicing with the Aggies' starters in his first training camp. "He's a very talented young man who works really hard. He's a tough kid and very physical," coach Mike Sherman said. He started high school as a quarterback but moved up front now that he's 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds. His brother, Kevin, was A&M's starting center the past two seasons.
Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado: Richardson initially signed with UCLA, where his father played receiver, before being dismissed along with two other players after they were accused of stealing at a campus dormitory. Saying he's trying to "redeem myself," he was cleared to play at Colorado just before training camp and quickly moved up the depth chart in a new-look receiving corps that also includes transfers from Southern Cal and Michigan.
Chase Rome, DT, Nebraska: With No. 2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh gone to the NFL, the Cornhuskers have Jared Crick back to cause trouble for offenses. Rome could join him. He graduated early from Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge High School in time to go through winter conditioning and spring practice. Now, coach Bo Pelini says, "he's showing that he has a possibility of being a factor."
Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma: Lightning fast, Stills joins Joe Powell and Trey Franks as part of a freshman invasion in an Oklahoma receiving corps that was disappointing a year ago. "It's a completely different attitude. We've got guys that like to have fun and that are aggressive," receivers coach Jay Norvell said. "They don't back off from anybody, they're not intimidated, and I think it's great." Stills emerged in the spring as a potential threat and has continued to impress.
Honorable mentions: Baylor WR Levi Woodson, Iowa State RB Duran Hollis, Kansas DE Keba Agostinho, Missouri OLs Mitch Morse and Nick Demien, Nebraska WR Quincy Enunwa, Texas Tech RB Ben McRoy.
-- Jeff Latzke
RB Washington suspended indefinitely at Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri tailback and team captain Derrick Washington was suspended indefinitely Thursday for unspecified disciplinary reason.
"As I tell my players, when something happens like this I won't comment on it," coach Gary Pinkel said.
Washington, a senior, has lead the Tigers in rushing each of the last two seasons. Last year he carried the ball a career-high 190 times for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite having lingering knee problems.
He firmly established himself as the starter during his sophomore season rushing for 1,078 yards and scoring 19 TDs.
"We just have to fight through it," quarterback Blaine Gabbert said. "Things are going to happen to this football team but we are going to fight back."
Sophomore Kendial Lawrence is expected to be in line to start when Missouri opens up against Illinois on Sept. 4. Lawrence played in 11 games as a freshman. He ran for 219 yards.
"It was a shock to me," Lawrence said of the suspension. "I'm ready to pick up the slack and help this team out any way that I can."
The team now has depth concerns at the position. Third-team running back De'Vion Moore has been slowed by a foot injury in camp.
Earlier this week, linebacker Will Ebner was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was demoted to the third team but has been participating in practice since the arrest.
Commentary: What's a tradition worth? Big Ten says $10 million
Despite some evidence to the contrary, the guys who run college football can count.
So although there will be 12 teams in the Big Ten Conference by 2012 — and 10 teams in the Big 12 Conference, for that matter — don't be distracted. That's not the kind of math they get worked up over.
What they worry about instead is how many more zeros can squeeze onto the TV rights checks. That's the reason college football looks like a garage sale at the moment.
Everything from longtime conference loyalties to rivalry games that stretch back a century has a tag attached to it as conferences bulk up to make themselves more attractive and forceful presences in a national championship picture that isn't fully developed.
People in the Midwest would argue there's no way to put a value on the Michigan-Ohio State game, but they're wrong.
It's a rite of fall in these parts, a game that's been played more than 100 times, usually as the culmination of the regular season and often with something beyond civic pride on the line. But making it just like any other game on any other fall weekend helps clear the way for realignment and a championship game in the Big Ten — which, with a full house on hand and a healthier TV sports market, could add something like $10 million a year to the conference's bottom line.
"We've had those debates. It's a good one," Commissioner Jim Delany told the Chicago Tribune earlier this week. "The question is whether you want to confine a game that's one of the greatest rivalries of all time to a divisional game."
The answer is almost certainly yes, though Delany won't say so yet.
"We have not discussed this with our TV partners," he said.
But just like all the other conference commissioners scurrying to extend their reach, he knows the day is coming. The Big Ten was already at 11 teams before it made a successful pitch to add Nebraska, which will require expanding to two divisions and adding the championship game in the bargain.
The most likely realignment scenario involves putting the historic rivals in different divisions, then having them play in the middle of the regular season rather than at the end. That way, if they meet in the championship game, it won't feel as much like a rematch.
Never mind that few championship games are as memorable as even the clunkers Michigan and Ohio State have played over the years. When pressed, most coaches would concede they view championship games as necessary evils; they're the price a team pays so that its conference keeps a seat at the table for the Bowl Championship Series postseason galas.
But no one ever looked at Michigan-Ohio State that way. The lore that grew up around the game was testimony to that. Play it twice a year, even if the second time is for the league championship, and plenty of the air leaks out of both.
Just so nobody at Michigan or Ohio State takes it personally, several of the Big Ten's rivalry or trophy games likely will get lost in the same shuffle.
To be fair, it's possible the current conference shape-shifting will produce dividends. Chances of a real playoff will go up, the quality of the product will go up and the money paid out — what college football is really about these days — will go up, up and up.
Plus, we won't have to listen to athletic directors, conference commissioners and even university presidents prattle on about how much they value "tradition."
Everything really does have a price.
Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke@ap.org.
Features
Saban becoming big multimedia presence
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Nick Saban is all about efficiency, even when it comes to capitalizing on the positive publicity from a national championship season.
Instead of hunkering down and writing a book like he did at LSU, the Alabama coach allowed cameras into his professional inner sanctum for a one-hour behind-the-scenes ESPN special filmed early in fall camp. Now, a documentary on the 2009 season is set to appear in theaters near you — well, if you live in certain cities in a four-state area.
For Saban, it's free publicity with minimal time siphoned from the other parts of his job. Like coaching and generally running a team.
That's what he was doing Tuesday evening during the Birmingham premier of the documentary "Nick Saban: Gamechanger," though his family and athletic director Mal Moore attended.
"I haven't seen it, so I can't tell you what it's about," Saban said. "It was a whole lot easier to do than write a book."
That's what he did after LSU won a national title in 2004, mixing in some of biographical material with leadership principles in "How Good Do You Want to be?"
"Gamechanger" was produced by Flashlight Media Group of Memphis, Tenn. The company said it is set to air in nearly 30 theaters starting Friday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
Producers Trey Reynolds and Grant Guffin, who had done a DVD set of Alabama football's greatest moments, approached Saban's Memphis-based agent, Jimmy Sexton, about the project just before last season. They started shooting after the season, traveling with Saban to film an ESPN commercial with Texas coach Mack Brown in California and to his home state of West Virginia.
"He's portrayed as somebody who is almost robotic in his drive and his commitment toward football," Guffin said. "I had the perception before we had the opportunity to observe him and get to know him that he was football 24-7, 365 days a year.
"He's a guy who has learned how to keep things in balance. He's a guy who clearly knows how to have a good time and who enjoys time with his family and enjoys time with his friends. He's got a really sharp wit. We had the opportunity to hear some stories from friends of his of things that they have done in the past. He certainly has a mischievous streak as good as the next guy. He's much more three-dimensional to me after being around him and getting to know people who know him."
It's just the latest example of Saban's multimedia presence. He was on the cover of Forbes magazine two years ago as the "most powerful man in sports." He appeared as himself in the movie "The Blind Side."
Now, there's the ESPN special and documentary back to back.
Alabama tailback Mark Ingram was a big presence on the TV program, even doing handstand pushups after one of the crew members challenged him to a pushup contest of the regular variety.
"I haven't seen that much of it," Ingram said, "so I need to catch somebody who Tivo-ed it."
He said he didn't know anything about the documentary.
Might it be Saban's choice for the Friday night team movie before the opener next Saturday against San Jose State?
"That's always coach's decision," Ingram said, "but I doubt he'll pick that."
-- John Zenor
Ga. star turns circus skills into circus catches
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — When A.J. Green soars for one of those amazing catches — you know, the ones where the Georgia receiver seems to defy gravity — he'll stroll back to the huddle like it's no big deal.
Considering his other talents, it's easy to understand why he's so nonchalant.
What's so tough about jumping over two guys to grab a football when you've juggled bowling pins, or metal rods, whatever — all while riding a unicycle?
"You have to be real coordinated to do that," Green said with a shrug and a smile. "It took me a while, but I got it."
Green started juggling when he was in second grade and, to this day, he can still keep four of just about anything spinning through the air with only his two hands. Around fourth grade, he added unicycle riding to his repertoire, just to make things interesting.
Welcome to A.J.'s Funhouse!
"Wow, that just takes so much concentration," fellow Georgia receiver Kris Durham marveled. "Think about the body control it takes to ride one of those, and then to turn around and have that sort of hand-eye coordination (for juggling), well, that's just unbelievable."
Green doesn't ride a unicycle anymore, but he keeps heads spinning on the football field.
From a purely physical standpoint, he has just about everything that's needed in a top receiver: Size (6-foot-4), leaping ability and deceptive speed. But he stands apart because of his intuitive skills when the ball's in the air, the instincts honed at an early age when circus acrobat appeared his most likely career option.
Green has this knack of maneuvering his body into just the right position to make the catch, no matter how many defenders are trying to get in his way. He always seems to make the reception when the ball's at its highest point, giving him a distinct advantage against mostly shorter cornerbacks.
"I don't think words can really describe it," said Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin, who's often assigned to defend Green in practice. "You never know what he's going to do. With a lot of receivers, you can kind of guess what route they're going to do based on how they're running. With A.J., it's really tough to know what he's going to run. He has so many elements to his game. He can position his body. He's fast. He's long. Going against him every day is definitely a challenge."
Hey, at least it's only practice. When Boykin gets burned, it doesn't cost the Bulldogs a game.
"The guys on the other side, I feel bad for them," he said, "because A.J. is going to make them look bad."
Green has made a lot of defenders look bad during his first two years at Georgia. He had 56 catches for 963 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman even though he was getting by largely on talent. Last year, he finished with 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns — despite missing all or part of five games due to two separate injuries.
Heading into his junior season, Green is ready to put it all together: A healthy year with a full knowledge of college schemes.
"That first year, on almost every play, somebody was helping him," coach Mark Richt said. "Now, he understands everything very well."
Green can sure tell the difference from freshman to junior.
"I didn't even know where to line up half the time," he recalled. "Now, I feel like the old man. I'm telling the young guys what to do. I'm helping our young quarterback out."
There's still a potentially major snag hanging over Green's season.
The NCAA is investigating Georgia amid allegations that players from several schools attended an agent-hosted party in Miami. There's been reports that Green is the target, though he insists he's never been to the city and is getting ready for the season as he always does.
In the meantime, he's declining comment until the NCAA finishes its work.
Of lesser concern is the fact that Green will be working with his third starting quarterback in three seasons. He's gone from No. 1 draft pick-to-be Matthew Stafford to journeyman Joe Cox and now to promising redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, who knows that guy wearing No. 8 could make the learning curve a lot easier.
"With A.J., you can pretty much throw anything at him and know he's going to catch it," Murray said. "He's that safety valve. If I'm in trouble, he's going to give me a shot to get out of it."
The two worked together extensively over the summer, honing their timing and getting comfortable with each other's tendencies. They hope all that extra work will pay off when the No. 23 Bulldogs open the season Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Georgia is coming off a disappointing 8-5 season and eager to show that it can still compete with Southeastern Conference powerhouses such as Alabama and Florida. This will likely be its final season with Green, who's already projected by many as a top-five pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Murray sure wishes his favorite receiver would hang around for his senior year.
"You never know. There might be a lockout," the young quarterback said, trying to sound hopeful. "I won't complain too much if he stays. I keep going, 'Lockout! Lockout!'"
-- Paul Newberry
LSU coach Les Miles expects more from QB Jefferson
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU coach Les Miles has stressed since last season ended that he would have higher expectations for junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
So far, apparently, so good.
"If Jordan continues to improve at the rate he is now, he'll be ready to play quality football," Miles said after watching Jefferson in the Tigers' third preseason scrimmage.
While Miles hasn't officially named Jefferson as his starting quarterback over Jarrett Lee, he is obviously pleased with what has seen.
Miles hopes Jefferson can be more than a caretaker of No. 21 LSU's offense this season after a having somewhat of a rocky past two years. The Tigers open the season against North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta on Sept. 4.
Injuries forced Jefferson into the lineup for the final 2½ games of his true freshman year. He passed for 419 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
Jefferson capped his first year by being named the Offensive MVP of the Tigers' 38-3 victory against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Jefferson was expected to show more progress in his first full year of being the starting quarterback last season.
Although Jefferson's statistics were productive as a sophomore, the LSU offense was subpar. He threw 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 61 percent of his passes in 12 starts.
But Jefferson was sacked 34 times, often because he held the football too long. The LSU offense was ranked No. 112 in the country, averaging 304.5 yards per game.
Jefferson says last year's struggles made him wiser.
"I feel I'm more mature now," Jefferson said. "It starts off with experience. I know what to look for. I know how to communicate with my coaches and teammates."
For the first time in four seasons, LSU could have a returning starter at quarterback. The last Tigers player who started back-to-back years are quarterback was JaMarcus Russell in 2005 and 2006. In fact, LSU has two experienced quarterbacks since Lee has nine starts in his career.
"Quarterback is a position everybody is looking at," offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said. "Both of our quarterbacks have felt media pressure. They have felt fan pressure. They have felt coaching pressure. They know that they have to get better."
LSU did not release Jefferson's statistics from the last two scrimmages. However, Miles said that Jefferson threw the ball very well both times.
Jefferson talks like he's growing into the position.
"To reduce the sacks, I need better pocket presence," Jefferson said. "I have to step up and move around in the pocket. I had guys open last year. I have to give them a chance to get the ball. I have to just let it go."
Crowton agrees that Jefferson is a more polished quarterback.
"The quarterback must understand the offense," Crowton said. "With a year under his belt, Jordan has gotten better. He has worked on his accuracy and on keeping his feet underneath himself.
"Jordan has worked hard on his reads. He should get the ball out of his hands quicker. That should help our protection and it should help our receivers run after the catch."
Jefferson spent part of his summer working at the Manning Passing Academy. Jefferson learned a lot from Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
"They talked about leadership qualities," Jefferson said. "They talked about developing chemistry with your receivers. I have a list of things I need to do this year. I want to be consistent. I want to make plays in the fourth quarter. I want to be a leader and control the guys."
Miles hopes Jefferson accomplishes one task.
"Jordan has started to realize that quarterback is more than a position," Miles said. "He's not just calling a play. Jordan has to have a wider, more encompassing vision of the position."
Sarkisian 'loves' Huskies' progress, continuity
SEATTLE (AP) — Steve Sarkisian doesn't just like the progress his upstart Washington Huskies have made as they end their second preseason camp with him as their coach.
"I love where we're at," he said following Thursday morning's practice inside chilly Husky Stadium.
He considers this the end of the three-week camp, even though Washington had another practice in the afternoon, then has a "mock game" Friday.
Saturday essentially begins the UW's season of bowl-game expectations. That practice specifically will focus on Brigham Young. The Huskies open on Sept. 4 at BYU — where Sarkisian was a star quarterback and Western Athletic Conference player of the year in 1996.
Sarkisian said Heisman Trophy candidate Jake Locker is so much more ingrained in his offense this summer. The senior quarterback, whom many are touting as next spring's No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,800 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first year running Sarkisian's sets.
"Offensively, it's just continuity. It's Jake's comfort level in the system," said the coach, who is expecting to do far better than last season's 5-7 debut. "All in all, I like our football team."
Sarkisian said his team accomplished three specific goals during the three weeks of camp:
— The offense is better on screen passes, a problem area last season.
— A growing defensive secondary is playing more and better man-to-man coverage by challenging receivers.
— And most of all, his fleet Huskies are a far more physical team after pounding on each other.
"It's nice to be fast," Sarkisian said of a roster he's molded with speed. "But at the end of the day this game is about being more physical than the other team."
So his staff emphasized contact in preseason scrimmages. The Huskies worked on gaining leverage on the line of scrimmage and against ball carriers by keeping shoulder pads low — the kind of fundamentals that speed sometimes leaves behind.
Fiery defensive coordinator Nick Holt loved the increased hitting. He also loves the progress his secondary, his linebackers and his defense overall have made from this time last year, which was days before they opened with a 31-23 home loss to LSU.
It was the first of six times Washington allowed 30 or more points in a game, often overwhelming what Locker and the offense could produce.
The defense still has issues, such as finding a consistent pass rush with speed off the outside and settling a secondary that has sophomore Nate Fellner and redshirt freshman Will Shamburger battling at free safety.
Senior Nate Williams is at strong safety, with Desmond Trufant and junior Quinton Richardson the cornerbacks.
"I think our defense is a lot better than it was last year because we've been doing the same stuff for a year now," Holt said. "Hopefully, it will show up in the first couple games."
-- Gregg Bell
Rutgers S Joe Lefeged is lone senior in secondary
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — After three seasons of listening and learning, Rutgers senior safety Joe Lefeged is ready to talk and teach.
A preseason All-Big East pick in numerous publications, Lefeged is the lone returning senior starter in a secondary that has been a strength for the Scarlet Knights in recent seasons. He became a part-time starter as a sophomore and took over at strong safety as a junior.
All the while, he saw how others on the defense led and is ready to assume that role.
"I was fortunate enough to watch Eric Foster, the way he carried himself," Lefeged said. "Courtney Green, the McCourty twins (Devin and Jason), Ron Girault, they all did a great job leading this team. I took a little from each of them and added my own personality to do whatever gets the job done.
"One thing that they did was watch film, and their off-field preparation, the way they took care of their bodies and how they prepared for their practice is something that I've learned and tried to copy a little bit," Lefeged said.
Coach Greg Schiano has been impressed with how Lefeged, one of the three team captains, has adapted to his leadership mantel.
"I think he's handled it well," Schiano said. "He's embraced it. He's had some good guys to learn from."
Lefeged feels he has some good guys to teach when it comes to the young secondary.
"They're doing a great job, especially in the meeting rooms," he said. "They're following, listening, trying to get better. They make my job a lot easier. Everybody's coming out here ready to practice, everybody's focused.
"There's been big improvement since we started camp. We're more physical than we were in week one," he added. "Our schemes are better. We took another step each week and we have to continue that through week one and throughout the season."
Lefeged had 44 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and an interception last year. He also became Rutgers' kickoff return man, averaging 32.4 yards per return and bringing one back for a 91-yard touchdown against West Virginia.
"I was excited to get the role," he said. "I did it a lot in high school, coach gave me the opportunity and I did it the best I can. I played offense in high school. I don't get the ball that much now, so kick return is an exciting feeling."
Lefeged knows his main job is at safety, and feels there are a number of things he can improve upon.
"Reading my keys faster and my footwork," he said. "You can always get better at everything. I'm not perfect at anything so I can get better at all aspects of my game."
Getting better each day has been Schiano's creed as Rutgers prepares for its season opener against Norfolk State on Sept. 2. Lefeged has bought into it.
"That's all you can do," he said. "Even if it's a little each day we have to get better, no matter what it is. We can't take steps backwards, we have to do all the little things that will help us during the season."
News & Notes
More questions for UNC football as probe widens
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The probe into North Carolina's football program added another prong. Along with it came another batch of question marks to cloud a promising season.
The school's announcement that the investigation of the Tar Heels' program has expanded into possible academic misconduct — one involving players and a woman who coach Butch Davis previously hired to tutor his son — seemed to raise as many questions as it attempted to answer.
How many players may have been involved? Which ones? What were the possible acts of misconduct? And what effect will this uncertainty have on a team expected to challenge for Atlantic Coast Conference supremacy?
"We are looking into improprieties that existed outside the classroom," athletic director Dick Baddour said Thursday night when asked about the specific actions that led to the probe. "That's about as close to that as I can get."
Baddour would not identify the players or even estimate any numbers, saying "to put a bracket around it could be misleading." He declined to get into many specifics, saying only that they involved "a student tutor and student-athletes on the football team."
The announcement came nine days before the 18th-ranked Tar Heels' opener against No. 21 LSU in Atlanta, and roughly two months after the NCAA began an investigation into whether two key players — defensive tackle Marvin Austin and receiver Greg Little — received improper benefits from agents.
Defensive line coach John Blake's longtime friendship with California-based agent Gary Wichard also has drawn the NCAA's interest.
Joint interviews conducted by NCAA and school investigators during that probe led them to a player who "raised an issue that we felt like deserved further consideration on our part.
"It led us down a road that brought us to what we're talking about," Baddour said.
While the investigation is centered on the football program, Baddour said that "we will certainly use the opportunity to take a complete look at everything that we're doing in the academic support program."
Davis declined to identify the tutor in question except to say she was one of the handful his family had hired since their 2007 arrival in Chapel Hill to serve as an academic coach and adviser for his teenage son.
"This is someone that obviously worked with our son," Davis said. "To be honest with you, I think we're really surprised and possibly disappointed, but there's been no revelation as to exactly the extent or what has actually transpired."
Baddour declined to provide additional details about the tutor, except to say that "the person was in (the university's) employ. When we found out about the issues, the tutor was not in our employ."
Baddour said the university has assembled a team to investigate the academic questions. While there is no timetable to resolve that aspect of the probe, "it is likely that the review would extend beyond the start of the season," he said.
If that happens, he said the school will decide if those players will play against LSU, and Baddour said that decision could come as late as gameday.
"The investigation now has two prongs, so I want to caution you against making assumptions if student-athletes don't play," Baddour said.
Davis did acknowledge that starting on Monday, he moved some players around the depth chart as part of a contingency plan in case they aren't permitted to play. He did not specify which players have risen or fallen.
Chancellor Holden Thorp began the news conference by saying "to everyone who loves this university, I'm sorry about what I have to tell you," then vowed that administrators are taking the probe seriously but expressed hope that its scope ultimately would be limited.
"We will find out what happened. We will do everything we can to keep it from happening again," he said. "And we will not let these mistakes define our university and what we stand for."
-- Joedy McCreary
Saban: Talks on agent issue continue
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Florida's Urban Meyer and other high-profile college football coaches had another conference call Thursday with the NFL and others in their efforts to protect schools and players from rule-breaking agents.
Meyer said the next step will likely be a face-to-face meeting involving the non-coaches and possibly something "put on paper." The latest call involved Meyer, Alabama's Nick Saban, Ohio State's Jim Tressel, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Mack Brown of Texas, along with officials from the NFL Players Association and the NCAA.
"Obviously, we're not going to go to it because we're coaching. But I think the representatives of all involved are going to get together," Meyer said. "I'm really anxious — we all are — to see what they put on paper."
Saban organized the first call — which included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — in the wake up investigations involving alleged improper dealings with agents at Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. He said the American Football Coaches Association is also involved.
Saban has sharply criticized agents who are breaking the rules and supported sanctions against them, including suspensions handed down by the NFLPA.
Saban said there have been "several conference calls."
"There have been and there will be more at some time in the future meetings with all these groups in the same room, which may have never happened before," he said. "I'm very pleased with how people are approaching this, the attitude they have toward approaching it and how aggressively everybody has moved to try to solve this problem."
With their seasons starting next week, the coaches' role in the process might be reduced.
But Meyer is pleased with how it's going so far, even if there's no overnight solution.
"What you find out is it's not like running a team," he said. "It takes forever, but there's a lot of good minds on there, a lot of good people that want to do it right."
What does he hope to accomplish?
"Just stop the nonsense," Meyer said. "It's evaluate the rules, enforce the rules and then try to stop what's going on. That sounds real easy, and it does to a coach until you get everybody on the phone and you're like, 'Wow, I never thought of that.' You've got legal issues and everything else. I was just a listener. It was unbelievable to hear what's going on."
In the meantime, Meyer said Florida's message to players concerning agents hasn't changed while the Gators await results of an investigation into allegations that former offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey accepted money from an agent between the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl.
"We're waiting to see what comes out of this (NCAA investigation)," Meyer said. "We wear them out around here about that stuff. Everything's coming back positive about the investigation. I'm not sure it's finished or not. But I think we do everything by the book, and I'd be disappointed if I found something that we don't because we educate them and we meet with the families and we do everything we can."
Saban said Thursday he still hasn't heard the results of an investigation into a trip to Miami's South Beach taken by defensive end Marcell Dareus.
-- John Zenor
Meyer: Freshmen Powell, Easley 'all good' now
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida freshmen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley were back at practice Thursday, two days after skipping part of a session and setting off speculation they would transfer.
Coach Urban Meyer said Thursday that the highly touted defensive linemen are "all good."
"They're doing great," Meyer said. "Our freshman class is doing great. I keep hearing this and I keep hearing that. Everything's in good shape."
Meyer acknowledged that Powell and Easley missed part of practice Tuesday, but he refused to say why or whether they were excused.
Rumors swirled the last two days about their absence, with talk ranging from the players being upset about getting yelled at during practice to them asking for their release and planning to transfer.
"No. No, no, no, no, no. Never," Meyer said. "The transfer word never came out of their mouths. They're good."
Powell, a defensive end from Moreno Valley, Calif., was considered the nation's top recruit. Easley, a defensive tackle from New York, was another five-star prospect. Together, they helped give Florida what many considered the nation's top class.
Nonetheless, the class hasn't received rave reviews. Meyer expressed concern about his team Monday, in part because none of the freshmen has taken over a starting role during training camp.
Powell and Easley made it clear earlier this month that they planned to play significant snaps this fall. Easley even compared himself, Powell and fellow newcomer Sharrif Floyd to Miami's trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
That confidence seemingly didn't sit well with some of the upperclassmen.
"Everybody has to come in with that attitude," center Mike Pouncey said Tuesday. "At the end of the day, they're freshmen. They just need to shut their mouths and come play. They haven't done nothing on Saturday. Most of the fans don't even know who they are. Until they prove themselves, they need to sit back and let the older guys play."
-- Mark Long
Florida will be without Nixon, Patchan for opener
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 4 Florida will be without starting left tackle Xavier Nixon and backup Matt Patchan for its opener.
Coach Urban Meyer ruled out both players Thursday, saying he's unsure when they will return.
Nixon had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. Patchan is recovering from a broken right wrist. He had a pin inserted in his wrist, which has been in a cast since early this month.
It's unclear how Florida will shuffle its line to fill the void against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 4. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert moved to the left side earlier this week, and center Mike Pouncey switched to right tackle. But Meyer said he expects Pouncey to remain at center.
"First game, I want the ball to hit the quarterback in the hands and not look like the Bad News Bears out there," Meyer said. "I'm not sure what it is right now, but I don't think we're going to move Mike. I hope not."
Tight end Jordan Reed, linebacker Brandon Hicks and receiver Carl Moore also missed practice Thursday. Reed has a bruised right knee, Hicks has a sprained thumb and Moore had an emergency root canal.
Meyer said Reed probably will miss the opener.
Nixon and Patchan had been battling for the starting spot. Nixon started the final five games last season at left tackle before spraining an ankle and then hurting his knee. Patchan hasn't been able to stay healthy in three seasons, missing time because of a gunshot wound, a torn pectoral muscle and a knee injury that resulted from an on-campus scooter accident.
-- Mark Long
Irish ILB McDonald upgraded for opener vs Purdue
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Irish inside linebacker Anthony McDonald has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Notre Dame's opener against Purdue on Sept. 4.
"He's made great progress," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Thursday. "We're moving in a direction that we think we may have him in a backup capacity for Purdue."
McDonald, the projected starter, hyperextended a knee.
Kelly plans to announce on Monday who will back up quarterback Dayne Crist. The competition is between Nate Montana and Tommy Rees.
"If Dayne Crist goes down on the third play against Purdue, who's going to help us win?" Kelly said.
The coach said that Friday's practice will conclude the "preseason," and the team will begin focusing on the home against Purdue after that.
"The tempo has backed off," he said. "Obviously, we'll back off on the weekend and come back ready to go with Purdue on Monday."
Kelly also said defensive back E.J. Banks, who had left the team, will be added to the scout team so he can practice but will not be on scholarship.
He also said freshman linebacker Justin Utupo, who had been held out of a couple of practices for administrative reasons, was cleared by the NCAA and is eligible to play.
USC stripped of 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California has been stripped of the 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy, which is awarded by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation's top college football team.
The organization said Thursday that a committee of current and former officers voted to revoke the honor after USC was penalized for NCAA violations. It did not award the trophy to another school.
In June, USC received a two-year bowl ban, four years' probation, loss of scholarships and forfeits of an entire year's games. The punishment was for improper benefits to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush dating to the Trojans' 2004 national championship.
The BCS has said it will likely force USC to vacate its title but won't act until the NCAA hears the Trojans' appeal.
USC said it is in the process of returning the Grantland Rice Trophy.
"Due to the NCAA penalties, we understand the actions taken by the Football Writers Association of America, and we will abide by that ruling," new USC athletic director Pat Haden said in a statement.
Iowa lobbies to maintain border rivals in Big Ten
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa athletic director Gary Barta says the Hawkeyes have identified Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota as three rivals they'd like to play as much as possible in a realigned Big Ten.
Barta tells The Associated Press that he's told the Big Ten that Iowa wants to play the Badgers, Cornhuskers and Gophers on a regular basis, if not every year.
The Big Ten expanding to 12 teams in 2011 by adding Nebraska and is moving to divisional play and a conference championship game.
Wisconsin and Minnesota have long been border rivals of the Hawkeyes. Though Iowa has only faced the Huskers twice since 1982, Barta says it'll be a terrific rivalry "right out of the gate."
Barta says the Big Ten is down to two or three division models, which will be based on competitive fairness and traditional rivalries.
-- Luke Meredith
Weather derails Seminoles' preparation for opener
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The weather is trying the patience of new Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher.
Thursday was more of the same ... "another day, another delay," in the words of FSU football publicist Bob Thomas.
The thunderstorms and lightning that have blown through Tallahassee much of this summer backed up the Seminoles' practices several times this month, frustrating Fisher, his coaches and players.
Florida State does not have an indoor facility where it can practice when inclement weather forces them off the school's outdoor fields.
The 44-year-old Fisher begins his career as head coach at Florida State a week from Saturday when the Seminoles host the Samford (Ala.) Bulldogs ... former FSU coach Bobby Bowden's alma mater.
Hawkeyes aren't expecting Wegher back
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa isn't expecting running back Brandon Wegher to return any time soon.
Wegher, who rushed for 641 yards and eight touchdowns last season, left the team after two days of fall camp to deal with undisclosed personal issues. Coach Kirk Ferentz said Thursday that Wegher hasn't indicated he'll return in the near future.
The ninth-ranked Hawkeyes are deep at running back, though. Promising sophomores Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton will likely share carries this season.
Ferentz also says that while "several" starters and second-stringers were injured in fall practice, he expects all of them to be available for the season opener against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 4.
Iowa also says two players have left the program: reserve fullback Wade Leppert and freshman linebacker Austin Gray.
Report: Gamecocks received discounted rates
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Several South Carolina football players received discounted rates to stay at a local hotel.
The State newspaper reported Thursday the players were given discounts lower than those available to the public, which could be considered an extra benefit in violation of NCAA rules.
Players received a rate of $450 a month while school officials determined the cost should've been about $1,200 a month. The players were asked to pay the difference to the hotel. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier told the players last week to pay their bills and find other living arrangements.
Spurrier said Wednesday South Carolina would not dispute any penalties given out by the NCAA.
Suspended tight end Weslye Saunders has talked to the NCAA about his attendance at a party in Miami this past May.
Fleming will transfer from New Mexico State
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — One day after being passed over as New Mexico State's starting quarterback, Jeff Fleming has decided to transfer.
Coach DeWayne Walker made the announcement Thursday.
Fleming, a junior from Fullerton, Calif., started nine games last season. He completed 87 of 172 attempts for 789 yards passing, including four touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Walker didn't say where Fleming plans to attend school next.
The news comes one day after junior college transfer Matt Christian was named the starter.
Walker says freshmen Andrew Manley and Tanner Rust are competing to become the primary backup. The plan announced Wednesday called for Fleming to be the Aggies' "change-of-pace quarterback" and run special offensive packages.
Beebe, Long on hand for stadium celebration
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Gov. Mike Beebe and Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long were on hand for a celebration Thursday of War Memorial Stadium's renovation.
The stadium has added a new, $7.3 million press box and club facility on its west side. The structure contains two floors of suites and club seating for 582, an increase from 220 in the past. The expanded press box includes a covered deck on its roof for still and video photographers.
The Razorbacks will play at the stadium twice this season, including Sept. 11 against Louisiana-Monroe. Arkansas agreed a couple years ago to keep playing games at the stadium through 2016. Long says he hasn't really started looking beyond that, but that any improvements to the facility benefit the Arkansas program.
Brooks stops by UK practice for pep talk
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks made a surprise visit to practice on Thursday and urged the Wildcats to build on the success the program achieved during his seven-year tenure.
First-year head coach Joker Phillips said Brooks told the players to take care of themselves physically, since injuries have been a problem during Kentucky's preseason practices.
Brooks was hired at Kentucky in 2003, inheriting a program on probation. When he retired after the 2009 season, the Wildcats had been to four straight bowl games Brooks told the players it was time to take the program to the next level.
The Wildcats' season opener is Sept. 4 against the University of Louisville.
Byrd expects to be ready for Miami's season-opener
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Miami wide receiver LaRon Byrd expects to be ready when the 13th-ranked Hurricanes open the season Sept. 2 against Florida A&M.
Byrd missed a week of training camp with an undisclosed left-leg injury, originally fearing that it would be a season-ending issue. After tests revealed just a minor problem, Miami's second-leading receiver from last season returned to practice and on Thursday pronounced himself fit for the opener.
Byrd says he's doing two cardio workouts daily to get back into football condition.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior had 33 catches for 460 yards and a touchdown for the Hurricanes last season.
Illinois loses starting safety Sanni
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois safety Supo Sanni is out for the season after tearing his right Achilles' tendon.
Coach Ron Zook says the junior was injured during practice Wednesday. Sanni, who was slated to start in the secondary for the Illini, was scheduled to have surgery on Thursday.
The 6-3, 220-pound Sanni, from Chicago Heights, will be able to redshirt this season and still have two years of eligibility left. He played in 11 games as a sophomore.
Arkansas' Johnson has wisdom teeth out
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson had to have his wisdom teeth removed, but coach Bobby Petrino is hopeful he'll be back at full speed on Monday.
Petrino said he usually doesn't talk about players who aren't practicing, but he took time Thursday to address Johnson's situation, saying the junior is "fine" but that he had an infection and will need to recover from the procedure.
Johnson rushed for 369 yards last season and is a mainstay on kick returns for the Razorbacks.
Elsewhere
Loran Smith off sideline on Dogs' radio broadcasts
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Loran Smith has been removed from his longtime role as sideline reporter but will remain part of the game coverage on Georgia radio broadcasts.
Smith, 72, will continue as one of the hosts on the pre-game show for the Georgia radio network, which covers 52 stations.
Chuck Dowdle, the former longtime sports anchor for WSB-TV, was named on Thursday as the new sideline reporter for the network.
Smith told The Associated Press on Thursday night the changes in his role on the broadcast "just sort of evolved out of several different discussions."
"I'm comfortable with the way we're going, since I will still be involved," Smith said.
Smith said he has no plan to retire.
Smith said he started a post-game radio show with former coach Vince Dooley in the early 1970s and joined former play-by-play legend Larry Munson in 1974. Munson and Smith became a popular team.
"I've had 36 good years on the sideline and I appreciate the support of the Georgia people for that," Smith said.
Georgia fans knew it was time for an update from Smith when Munson would call out "Whaddyagot, Loran?"
Uga VI, one of the line of English bulldog mascots, was named "Whatchagot Loran."
Play-by-play announcer Scott Howard and analyst Eric Zeier were named the permanent broadcast team after Munson's retirement early in the 2008 season.
-- Charles Odum
