Injuries of note for 11/01-11/04

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  • bearmz
    SBR Sharp
    • 10-17-07
    • 320

    #1
    Injuries of note for 11/01-11/04
    Yvenson Bernard RB, Oregon State Beavers 10/27/07, Time: 12:24 am Status:
    News: In Saturday's win over Stanford, Bernard was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury.
    Although it is unknown how long he will be out, head coach Mike Riley called Bernard's status for next week's game "doubtful."
    Player: P.J. Hill RB, Wisconsin-Madison Badgers 10/27/07, Time: 12:22 am News: Hill left Saturday's win over Indiana with a lower leg injury and he did not return to action.
    The Badgers have a key contest against Ohio State upcoming and Hill's status is in doubt.
    Dwight Dasher QB, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 10/27/07, Time: 12:17 am News: The Tennessean is reporting Dasher left Saturday's game against North Texas with a knee injury. The true freshman is scheduled to undergo a MRI on Sunday.
    Dasher's injury could be one that knocks him out for a couple of weeks.
    Omar Haugabook QB, Troy State Trojans 10/27/07, Time: 12:16 am News: Haugabook suffered an injured hamstring in victory against Arkansas State.
    Antone Smith RB, Florida State Seminoles 10/27/07, Time: 12:14 am News: Smith suffered a sprained ankle in the final moments of Saturday's victory against Duke. Analysis:
    Smith should be ready to go in next week's game against Boston College.
    Greg Carr WR, Florida State Seminoles 10/27/07, Time: 12:13 am News: As PFS indicated earlier this week, Carr suffered a wrist injury in last week's loss to Miami and although reports indicated he would play against Duke - he did not take the field.
    Carr's status for next week's game is in doubt.
    Kahlil Bell RB, UCLA 10/27/07, Time: 12:11 am News: Bell suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday's loss to Washington State.
    The Bruins backfield has battled injuries all year and his status for upcoming games are in doubt.
    Sam Keller QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers 10/27/07, Time: 12:10 am News: Keller appeared to injure his shoulder/collarbone at the end of the Texas game and he left with his arm in a sling.
    Keller's injury could keep him out a couple of weeks.
    Casey Dick QB, Arkansas Razorbacks 10/27/07, Time: 12:07 am News: Dick was knocked out of Saturday's game against Florida International with a concussion and rib injury. Analysis:
    His status for next week's game against South Carolina is uncertain.
    Marcus Monk WR, Arkansas Razorbacks 10/27/07, Time: 12:06 am News: After suffering a preseason knee injury, Monk finally got on the field in Saturday's game against Florida International.
    Monk caught a touchdown pass. Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada QB, Navy Midshipmen 10/27/07, Time: 12:00 am News: Kaheaku-Enhada was removed from Saturday's game against Duke, as head coach Paul Johnson commented - "Kaipo was a little stiff, looked a little tentative out there. We have confidence in Jarod," Johnson said. "We needed to run the ball inside . . . we thought making a change might not be a bad thing."
    Kaheaku-Enhada should start next week's game against Notre Dame.
    Mackenzi Adams QB, Vanderbilt Commodores 10/27/07, Time: 12:05 am News: Adams was knocked out of Saturday's game against Miami, Ohio with a chest injury.
    The Commodores take on Florida next week and Adams' status is unknown.
    Lonyae Miller RB, Fresno State Bulldogs 10/27/07, Time: 11:58 pm Status:
    News: Miller missed Friday's contest against Boise State with a knee injury.
    Miller's status for upcoming games is in doubt.
    Player: Jameel Sewell QB, Virginia Cavaliers 10/27/07, Time: 11:58 pm
    News: Sewell left Saturday's game against N.C. State with a leg injury and did not return to the game.
    More should be known about Sewell's status later this week.
    Player: Rashaun Grant RB, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 10/26/07, Time: 12:55 am Status:
    News: Sportsline.com is reporting Grant will miss the rest of the 2007 season, after suffering an ankle injury against Army. Although the early indications were he would be back soon, the injury is worse than originally believed.
    Player: Cedric Peerman RB, Virginia Cavaliers 10/25/07, Time: 5:25 pm Status:
    News: Cavaliers head coach Al Groh has indicated Peerman won't play in Saturday's contest against N.C. State.
    Player: Ian Hetrick QB, Wyoming Cowboys 10/24/07, Time: 2:59 pm News: The Cowboys have decided to start Hetrick in Saturday's game against UNLV - benching starter Karsten Sween.
    Player: Julian Edelman QB, Kent Sate Golden Flashes 10/23/07, Time: 11:39 pm Status:
    News: The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting Edelman's 2007 season is done, after suffering a broken arm in Saturday's game against Bowling Green.
    Player: Kyle Wright QB, Miami-Florida Hurricanes 10/23/07, Time: 11:28 pm News: Sportsline.com is reporting Wright is continuing to recover from a sprained ankle suffered against Florida State and the 'Canes hope to have him healthy and on the field for next week's game against N.C. State

    A heads up.
  • bigboydan
    SBR Aristocracy
    • 08-10-05
    • 55420

    #2
    Thanks for posting these injuries... Tis appreciated
    Comment
    • bearmz
      SBR Sharp
      • 10-17-07
      • 320

      #3
      NP, just trying to help.
      Comment
      • bigboydan
        SBR Aristocracy
        • 08-10-05
        • 55420

        #4
        If you happen to stumble across anymore updates please post them.

        Thanks in advance
        Comment
        • bearmz
          SBR Sharp
          • 10-17-07
          • 320

          #5
          Will do, prolly around Wed for any update. Let the dust settle.
          Comment
          • bearmz
            SBR Sharp
            • 10-17-07
            • 320

            #6
            Found some while spanning the globe...done for tonight

            Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Southern Methodist University announced that head football coach Phil Bennett will not return for the 2008 season.
            SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini did say that Bennett will serve as head coach for the remainder of 2007, however
            Stanford, CA (Sports Network) - Stanford University head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that running back Jason Evans and offensive lineman Allen Smith will miss the remainder of the 2007 season with knee injuries.
            Evans injured his left knee during Stanford's 21-20 victory at Arizona on October 20 and is expected to have surgery next week.
            The fifth-year senior made his first collegiate start against the Wildcats and was having the best game of his career prior to the injury. Evans, who was filling in for injured starter Anthony Kimble, had a career-high 78 rushing yards and a touchdown yards on 21 carries before going down.
            "Jason has torn his ACL, and that's a big blow to the team and to him personally," stated Harbaugh.
            Evans finished his 2007 season with 105 yards and a TD on 30 carries and added five catches for 51 yards.
            Meanwhile, Smith injured his left knee in Stanford's third game of the 2007 season versus Oregon and had surgery the following week. He has not played since, snapping a string of 23 consecutive games started for the junior offensive lineman.
            10/24 12:00:22 ET
            AKRON - Safety Brandon Anderson (10/27, knee) missed Saturday's game against Buffalo.
            KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee cornerback Marsalous Johnson and offensive tackle Eric Young will likely miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries, coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday.
            Johnson did not play in the 24th-ranked Vols' 27-24 overtime win over No. 23 South Carolina on Saturday after suffering what team officials believed to be a torn meniscus in his knee during the week leading up to the game.
            "(Doctors) won't know for sure until they get in there, but it's probably season ending," he said.
            Johnson would be the second starting Vols cornerback lost to knee injury this season. Antonio Gaines suffered a torn ligament in week two against Mississippi State.
            As for Young, Fulmer said he had surgery Sunday morning after being forced from Saturday's game.
            "He had surgery ... and it went well," the coach said. "He'll be out for the remainder of the season."
            Fulmer said team officials are also monitoring injuries to two running backs. Montario Hardesty has a sprained ankle and Lennon Creer has soreness in his knee.
            GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Quarterback Tim Tebow's sore shoulder was a big problem for the Florida Gators against Georgia. The young, injury-riddled defense was even more of a concern.
            The Gators (5-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) had three defensive linemen injured in Saturday's 42-30 loss to the Bulldogs in Jacksonville, including defensive end Derrick Harvey.



            Harvey sustained a hip injury, and defensive tackles Javier Estopinan and Terron Sanders had leg injuries. Florida was already without defensive tackle Brandon Antwine, who recently spent 10 days in the hospital because of a back injury, and defensive tackle Clint McMillan has been limited since injuring his shoulder against Kentucky.
            "We have a problem inside right now," coach Urban Meyer said Sunday as his team dropped nine spots to No. 18 in the latest Associated Press college football poll. "We're banged up. ... We're struggling in there. We're feeling the pains of the late season right now."
            Meyer said he was considering using highly touted freshman John Brown on Saturday against Vanderbilt. Brown missed most of fall practice while waiting to be academically cleared by the NCAA, and the Gators had planned to redshirt him.
            "We'll know more about that later in the week," Meyer said. "There's a chance that could happen. He's just got to get a lot better."
            The defense was gouged for 413 yards Saturday. Knowshon Moreno ran 33 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns, and Matthew Stafford completed 11 of 18 passes for 217 yards and three scores.
            Florida's defense, which has been the team's biggest weakness all season, couldn't get off the field on third down (the Bulldogs converted 10 of 13) and gave up five plays of 20 yards or longer. The big plays included an 84-yard TD pass, a 53-yard TD pass and a 42-yard run.
            The offense wasn't much better, especially with Tebow nursing a sore non-throwing shoulder.
            The Heisman Trophy hopeful bruised his right shoulder last week at Kentucky and ran just a handful of times against the Bulldogs -- all in goal-line formations.
            "I called him late last night and he was still numbed up," Meyer said. "They gave him some medicine. ... I imagine it'll still be sore, but I don't think he took a direct shot on it. ... He just doesn't tell you much. He fights through it. He's such a tough guy."
            Tebow was sacked six times -- he was sacked five times in the previous seven games -- and finished with minus-15 yards rushing on 13 carries.
            Meyer said he doesn't expect the shoulder injury to limit Tebow's running ability the rest of the season.
            Meyer also said he planned to use speedster Percy Harvin more often, especially after running back Kestahn Moore had a crucial fumble early and was part of another fumbled snap later. Harvin ran 10 times for 97 yards against Georgia and caught two passes for 41 yards.
            In Purdue's defeat of Northwestern, Jaycen Taylor ran for a career-high of 157 yards and two touchdowns.
            Taylor, in his second game back after missing four weeks with a broken left arm, gained 114 yards on 15 carries in the second half.
            STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State safety Tony Davis missed Saturday's game against No. 1 Ohio State after having his appendix removed Friday.
            Davis, who had started the season's first eight games, is expected to sit out two to four weeks, team spokesman Jeff Nelson said Saturday
            COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri safety Cornelius "Pig" Brown ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 42-28 victory over Iowa State, a big blow to the Tigers' improving defense.
            Brown, a senior, was carted off the field late in the game after coming up lame while pursuing a play. Twice this season he has been Big 12 player of the week. He had 10 tackles, one for a 5-yard loss, before the injury.


            "It's going to hurt," quarterback Chase Daniel said. "He's a captain, he's a leader and he's been playing unbelievably well these last three or four weeks.
            "To lose him would be a big blow but that's why we have depth. We'll adjust."
            Brown, who joined the program as a California junior college product last year, was the conference player of the week for the second time last week. .
            He moved into the starting lineup this year after getting one start as a junior. Del Howard, a sophomore who switched to safety from cornerback this season, would likely replace him.
            Michigan:
            SRB Hart has missed 21/2 games since appearing to injure his right ankle. SQB Henne was on and off the field in last week's win at Illinois with a shoulder injury.
            Michigan seemed to keep both off the field against the lowly Golden Gophers to get them healthier for the final three games of the regular season: at Michigan State, at Wisconsin and against top-ranked Ohio State.
            Coach Lloyd Carr is optimistic Hart and Henne will play against the Spartans.
            The senior stars are even more confident.
            "Of course," Hart replied when asked if he'll be ready to play Michigan State.
            "I'll be back next week," Henne said.
            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick left the Razorbacks' game against Florida International on Saturday with a concussion and sore ribs.
            Dick was taken to a hospital as a precaution
            Comment
            • Cougar Bait
              SBR Posting Legend
              • 10-04-07
              • 18282

              #7
              Some good stuff here. I had no idea about the Vandy QB. Thanks!
              Comment
              • bearmz
                SBR Sharp
                • 10-17-07
                • 320

                #8
                Wisconsin's star running back, P.J. Hill, played only one quarter before a bruised left foot kicked him off the field. Head coach Bret Bielema said Hill has a bruise on the top of his foot, and although the halftime X-rays were negative, Bielema thought sitting Hill for the second half would be more prudent than putting him in, considering the Badgers' next opponent - Ohio State.
                The nation's ninth-leading rusher, averaging 126.1 yards per game, Hill rushed for 57 yards on 12 carries with a TD in Wisconsin's first two possessions before leaving the game in the first quarter with what was then described as a "lower-leg injury." Hill appeared to sustain the injury when a defender landed on his foot in the end zone after he scored his one-yard touchdown.
                Luckily for the Badgers, Sunday morning brought good news to Madison, as Bielema said the sophomore should be ready to play against No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday.
                "Every indication we have right now looks like he'll be back this week," Bielema said. "He basically god a bad bruise."
                Backups Lance Smith and Zach Brown stepped in to fill Hill's large shoes, and did so quite nicely, combining for 119 yards on 29 carries with three touchdowns. That news would be very promising for Wisconsin's run game, except that Smith will miss this week's game while he serves a five-road game university suspension. He scored two TDs and averaged 5.3 yards per carry against Indiana.
                Still, knowing that Hill is back, along with his 1,066 yards and 14 touchdowns, the Badgers will have their best weapon available to take on the nation's No. 1.
                ------------------------------------------------------
                COLUMBIA -- University of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier didn't leave any question Sunday about who will start at quarterback against Arkansas.
                "Right now we're planning on starting Blake," Spurrier said, referring to fifth-year senior Blake Mitchell, who came off the bench and played his best game of the year in USC's 27-24 loss at Tennessee in overtime.
                It will be Mitchell's first start since LSU on Sept. 22.
                But Spurrier said the rotation could change if Mitchell struggles. Instead of redshirt freshman Chris Smelley, who had started the last five games, being Mitchell's backup, Spurrier said sophomore Tommy Beecher could get a look.
                -------------------------------------------------------
                GREENVILLE — East Carolina coach Skip Holtz saw his sophomore quarterback, Rob Kass, struggle in the Pirates’ win over UAB on Saturday.

                Kass, who threw four interceptions over his last two games, threw for just 69 yards on 10-of-17 passing. His longest completion was 11 yds.

                Holtz made the switch to a more athletic Patrick Pinkney. His decision paid off.

                Pinkney entered the game and lead his team to two scores. He fired a 52-yard touchdown strike to Jamar Bryant and a 7-yard fade pass to Steven Rogers, both in the third quarter.

                Pinkney threw for 159 yards and tossed just one incompletion on seven attempts.
                ---------------------------------------------------------

                Again Saturday night, Florida State's offense moved the ball well in the first half but not well enough to score touchdowns. The Seminoles had 286 yards of total offense through the first 30 minutes of the game but came away with three field goals.

                On its first scoring drive, FSU QB Drew Weatherford overthrew WR Richard Goodman, who had his defender beat and may have scored a touchdown had the throw been on target. And Weatherford missed an open Goodman again in the end zone on the 'Noles second scoring drive.

                Cismesia added a 33-yard field goal 4 seconds before the half, when FSU took a 9-0 lead to the locker room. Counting the last three quarters of the game against Miami a week ago, the Seminoles entered intermission against Duke without a touchdown in five consecutive quarters.

                Seminoles made it to the end zone six minutes into the third quarter when Preston Parker raced 9 yards with a short sideline pass from Weatherford, giving them a 16-0 lead vs. Duke.
                ----------------------------------------------------------

                Boise State tailback Ian Johnson now has more to worry about than his bruised kidney.
                Like job security.
                Freshman tailbacks D.J. Harper and Jeremy Avery torched the Fresno State defense Friday night — rushing for 277 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Broncos to a 34-21 victory in a showdown of WAC unbeatens.
                The Broncos' offensive line, Harper and Avery dominated the game while Johnson — the team's star for the last season and a half — sat at home for the second straight game to heal. Johnson will return for next Saturday's home game against San Jose State, coach Chris Petersen said.
                Harper rushed for 153 yards and one touchdown against Fresno State — the first 100-yard rushing game by a Broncos true freshman in 19 years.
                Avery, a redshirt freshman, added 124 yards and three scores.
                -----------------------------------------------------------

                We're not happy with the way the O-line played," New Mexico St HC Mumme said after blowout loss to Hawaii. "Watching the game film, it was obvious that they never caught up with the speed of the game."
                The protection breakdowns also led to SQB Chase Holbrook getting taken out of the contest following a blow to the head he absorbed from the Hawaii pass rush. Holbrook was replaced midway through the fourth quarter by freshman J.J. McDermott, who was greeted with an interception that was returned 57 yards by JoPierre Davis for a touchdown. Mumme said that Holbrook's status for this Friday's game against Nevada remains uncertain.
                "We don't know," Mumme said when asked if Holbrook had suffered a concussion on the play. "It was a blow to the head. We'll know more later in the week.
                ---------------------------------------------------------
                Turnovers once again got the best of Indiana. For the second consecutive game, the Hoosiers committed at least four turnovers. And for the third consecutive game, IU lost.
                Wisconsin forced five turnovers (three fumbles, two interceptions) in a 33-3 victory Saturday over the Hoosiers. IU is 0-4 when it has committed more turnovers than its opponents (Wisconsin had two).
                The Hoosiers have a turnover margin of minus-6 in Big Ten games, a big reason why they are 2-4 in league games. IU has committed 11 turnovers in its last three games.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                BOCA RATON - Florida Atlantic lost two starting defensive linemen to season-ending injuries in the fourth game of the season.

                Late in game seven last week at Louisiana-Lafayette, the two replacement starters were on the bench with injuries, and so with the game on the line the Owls were relying on three little-used players to try to stop the Ragin' Cajuns.

                "It's a patch-up job," coach Howard Schnellenberger said about his defensive line.

                FAU was able to get past the Cajuns in overtime, but injuries continue to plague the line, and junior Jervonte Jackson was the only starter able to practice this week as the Owls (4-3, 3-0 Sun Belt) prepared to host Louisiana-Monroe (2-5, 2-2) Saturday at Lockhart Stadium. Lost to Louisiana-Monroe 33-30 in triple overtime
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                Saturday, the Maryland Terps played without three of the offensive linemen who started the season opener. They were also missing two of their top five defensive linemen and a key reserve at linebacker.

                The situation was so dire entering the game that Maryland started freshmen at fullback and left tackle. Friedgen was forced to use a couple of first-year walk-ons before it was over as the injuries continued to mount.

                "That (lack of depth) is a huge part of it," said sophomore quarterback Chris Turner, who joined the starting lineup when Jordan Steffy was knocked out against Rutgers. "We don't have a lot of options in a lot of places. We're down right now, for sure. We thought we'd be a lot more competitive today."

                While the Terps' offense sputtered most of the game, Clemson (6-2, 3-2 ACC) pounded Maryland's undermanned, overworked defense for 249 yards on the ground. Tailback James Davis, who guaranteed a Tiger victory during the week, backed up his boast with 129 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown. Backfield mate C.J. Spiller added 106 yards on 17 carries.

                Maryland tight end Dan Gronkowski damaged knee ligaments during the game and his status for the rest of the season is uncertain. His absence would deprive the Terps of another useful, experienced blocker along the line.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                Bobby Johnson expects most, if not all, of his Vanderbilt football players who missed the win over the Miami RedHawks to be available on Saturday when the Commodores travel to No. 18 Florida.
                Defensive back Darlron Spead was held out Saturday with a lingering shoulder injury and cornerback Myron Lewis missed time during the contest with a similar injury. Linebacker Brandon Bryant has not played since the Georgia game because of an ankle injury, and quarterback Mackenzi Adams had to leave Saturday's game after suffering a bruised sternum.
                “We hope they're going to be fine; we think they're going to be fine," Johnson said following Sunday's light workout. "Brandon, we're going to see. We haven't done anything with him. (Sunday) is not a very good indication of what you can or what you can't do.
                "Mackenzi, we think he'll be fine. He's just sore."
                Defensive tackle Greg Billinger and center Joey Bailey worked Sunday after sitting out Saturday's game under a suspension for violating team rules.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                North Carolina will need at least one more outstanding recruiting class to fortify its football program and become competitive in the ACC, in the judgment of Coach Butch Davis.
                Almost all of UNC’s weaknesses were exposed and exploited Saturday by Wake Forest in a 37-10 setback at BB&T Field. Davis said that UNC doesn’t have the proper depth at certain positions to overcome its growing problems against more-experienced teams.
                “The area where we’re really struggling is with the talent from the depth standpoint,” Davis said. “It’s an issue that certainly the only way to resolve it is through recruiting. We’ve got to build the depth of this football team in this next offseason with recruiting to where we’ve got enough guys.”
                UNC (2-6, 1-3 ACC) will return home on Saturday to play Maryland.
                Davis said that UNC is probably three to four linebackers short of the amount needed to get through a season. He believes also that the team could use two more safeties and two more cornerbacks.
                Davis said that, in his experience, most teams that play the 4-3 defense that UNC is playing have at least 10 linebackers and sometimes have 13.
                “We have nowhere near that,” Davis said. “I think we’ve only got about like six or seven that are available right now. It’s just the nature of the football team that we inherited and where we are with some shortcomings at some of the positions.”
                Depth at cornerback is a concern. The top two left cornerbacks were out against Wake Forest, one because of a season-ending injury and the other because of suspension. Richie Rich, a former running back, was moved to the position because help was needed.
                Davis said that Rich had two weeks to prepare to play in the secondary.
                UNC’s kickoff coverage team broke down twice against Wake Forest. It allowed Kevin Marion a return of 98 yards for a touchdown and a return of 83 yards to the UNC 14-yard line to set up another touchdown. Davis believes that players on the coverage team and on other special teams are wearing down from overuse because they also play on offense or defense.
                No changes in the special teams or starting lineups are anticipated because Davis said that UNC doesn’t have the players to make the switches.
                “We’re starting five freshmen on defense. On most teams, the way the team is built, a significant amount of freshmen, redshirt freshmen and probably sophomores make up your special teams. Well, for us those guys are having to start. That limits some of the things you can do.”
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                TOLEDO, Ohio -- Aaron Opelt threw four touchdown passes, Gordon Warner ran for three more and Toledo piled up a school-record 812 yards of offense in a 70-21 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night.
                ---------------------------------------------------------
                Most of Navy's defensive woes can be traced to inexperience and injuries to key players. The Midshipmen entered the year with nine new starters, but the two returning defenders — linebacker Clint Sovie and safety Jeff Deliz — were both lost for the year after sustaining injuries during a loss at Rutgers on Sept. 7. Then, cornerback Ketric Buffin injured his right arm during a win at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10 at Pittsburgh, and on Saturday, Rashawn King — the team’s best cornerback — left the Delaware game with an injury.
                -------------------------------------------------------
                In the past two weeks, Paterno has watched a defensive end, starting fullback and one of his best defensive tackles all go down with season-ending lower body injuries.
                Paterno will have to fill in the pieces if his Nittany Lions look to take down a No. 1-ranked team for the first time since 1990, when the Buckeyes travel to Happy Valley for a primetime, nationally televised showdown this coming Saturday.
                Defensively, the injuries to Jerome Hayes and Jared Odrick perhaps present the biggest concern heading into this weekend.
                In recent weeks, the Nittany Lions have had the luxury of a healthy Tom McEowen and Abe Koroma to help fill out the defensive line rotation.
                Both are expected to see their biggest workload of the season against the Buckeyes.
                “We’ve played a lot of kids,” Paterno said at his weekly media teleconference yesterday.
                “McEowen is going to have to start to play some and Koroma, who was hurt earlier in the year, fell behind, has been able to play the last couple of weeks. I think we’re OK inside.”
                “Hayes was playing really well and so was Odrick. So those are big losses. The other kids are going to have to step in there and go. We have bodies. We have people who have the ability. They haven’t had the experience that you would feel is nothing we need to worry about. We have to worry about it.”
                Without Odrick, the defensive line rotation consists of Phil Taylor, Chris Baker, Ollie Ogbu, and Koroma and McEowen who are at or as close to 100-percent as they could be coming off their respective injuries.
                “You would love to have..I’m not sure any of those guys are as good as Jared is now because Jared has had a lot more work. He played a lot more as a true freshman a year ago. They have to step up to the plate to find out how good they are.”
                On the offensive side, Paterno will turn to Cumberland Valley product Dan Lawlor to fill in for the injured Matt Hahn, who tore his ACL on his final carry of the game against Indiana last week.
                Lawlor, who will make his first career start, has just seven carries in mop-up duty this season. For his career, Lawlor has carried just 12 times. Walk-on transfer Larry Federoff could see time as well.

                “Lawlor has got all the stuff to be a fine fullback,” Paterno said. “He just has to step up to the plate and go to work.”

                Paterno said he didn’t expect right guard Mike Lucian to play for the second straight week coming off a concussion suffered against Wisconsin. Lucian did not even make the trip to Bloomington this past weekend.
                -----------------------------------------------------------
                The Buckeyes come into Saturday’s game with two impressive winning streaks of 26 regular season games and 18 conference games. The last time Ohio State lost a conference game was back in October of 2005 when Penn State defeated them 17-10 at Beaver Stadium.
                The Buckeyes will bring the No. 1 overall defense in the country with them on Saturday night, a defense that is allowing just 208.5 yards per game, and 3.3 yards per play. They’ve given up just 1,668 yards of offense this season and only seven touchdowns. Ohio State is allowing only 7.9 points per game as well, tops in the nation.
                Opposing quarterbacks have suffered this season against the Buckeyes as well, throwing just nine touchdowns with an 86.83 passer rating. The Buckeyes have picked off nine passes and allow just 4.43 yards per completetion as well.
                Opponents have converted just 28-percent of the time on third down agaainst the Buckeyes this season.
                ---------------------------------------------------------
                San Jose State isn't ready to rule out injured tailback Yonus Davis for the season.
                Davis, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, has been limited to three carries because of a sprained ankle and hasn't practiced in two weeks. But the senior might be available for any or all of SJSU's remaining four regular-season games, Coach Dick Tomey said Monday.
                "There is a possibility, but the longer it goes, the less and less likely it is that he will play," Tomey said. "We're just monitoring his progress."
                Davis was injured on the Spartans' first offensive play of the season and has aggravated the injury several times in practice. Davis appeared in the first half of the Oct. 6 game against Idaho but aggravated the injury on two carries and didn't return.
                SJSU (3-5, 2-2 Western Athletic Conference) doesn't play again until Nov. 3 at Boise State. One of the two practices scheduled for this week(10/22-26) is a scrimmage Thursday primarily for backups and players recovering from injury, but Tomey said Davis isn't expected to participate.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell suffered through another up-and-down game. Harrell went into last week's game against Missouri with just three interceptions.
                Now he has 11 after throwing a career-high four interceptions against Missouri and matching that Saturday.Another 60+ pass attempt day. Gotta be getting noodle armed.
                -----------------------------------------------------------
                Troy St’s SQB Omar Haugabook scored a pair of touchdowns to lead Troy to a 27-0 victory over Arkansas State Saturday night.
                The victory for the Trojans ended a three-game losing streak against Arkansas State.
                Haugabook rushed for 94 yards and passed for 156. He left the game early in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                UCLA: SQB Patrick Cowan struggled throughout the week leading up to the game. He hobbled around on an injured right knee and a sore right calf and was able to practice only once. The one-legged quarterback plan was doomed. Cowan, unable to use the mobility that makes him effective, could do nothing to rally the Bruins.
                Unexpected: There was no one in the Bruins' locker room that seemed mad after the debacle Saturday. Instead, it was the same warmed-over quotes used after the two previous losses, about beating themselves and how they needed to "fix" things and how four-plus seasons of wild mood swings on the field need to end.
                Stepped back: The Bruins' secondary, with its swagger, was not up to the task when defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker sent in reinforcements to stop the run. One-on-one coverage resulted in five pass interference penalties.
                On the troubles with execution -- which was the buzzword by all after the game -- Dorrell said, "We have a lot of new players playing for first time. They haven't had a chance to get seasoned and jell with everyone else."
                Injuries: Two big ones.
                Tailback Kahlil Bell, the Bruins' leading rusher, suffered what was called a sprained knee. He was to undergo an MRI today.
                Wide receiver Brandon Breazell, the closest thing the Bruins have to DeSean Jackson, has what is called multiple rib contusions. He will undergo more tests this week.
                With Bell out and Chris Markey still hobbling with a sore toe, the running game could be in the hands of converted safety Christian Ramirez, who fumbled the last time he touched the ball in a game, or plow-horse Chane Moline, who failed to get a first down on third-and-two plays twice against Washington State.
                As for the passing game, Cowan's knee remains a question. Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell did what he could to keep Cowan out of harm's way Saturday, but that did not lead to offensive production.
                ----------------------------------------------------------
                For an idea of what two losses before Halloween means to USC, the Trojans are poking fun at themselves now.
                One player joked after the loss to Oregon that the offensive playbook was "available on the Internet for $9.95."
                But who would buy it even at that cut-rate price?
                Even at the Eugene Airport on Sunday morning, fans speculated how many would show up at the Coliseum for Saturday's game against Oregon State with the Trojans reeling.
                "It's different," USC coach Pete Carroll acknowledged Sunday. "We haven't been in this situation for a long time. It doesn't change anything. You don't do anything different. You coach like crazy."
                And you start making excuses.
                Carroll said again USC had been restricted offensively as it weaned quarterback Mark Sanchez the past three games.
                "It does affect your play calling," Carroll said.
                He did not mention USC lost to a Stanford team that had a quarterback making his first career start. Ironically, Carroll brought up the Stanford game when he said Sunday he wished he played Sanchez against Stanford after John David Booty broke his finger.
                "We made a mistake with John, not knowing the situation," Carroll said. "I wish
                I could have assessed that better at the time. Maybe we would have put Mark in and played it closer to the vest."
                So Sanchez needed to play against Stanford, but hurt the play calling against Oregon? That's the logic following two losses for USC (6-2, 3-2). And after winning five straight Pacific-10 Conference titles, Carroll's suddenly forced to talk up the other teams.
                "We were talking as a staff today about how many good defensive schemes there are in this conference and skill guys who can make plays," Carroll said. "Everybody is getting everybody (in the Pac-10). We have to come back with some resolve. A lot of stuff is happening out there."
                In past years, it would be hard to imagine USC complaining about officiating, but Carroll brought up several points of frustration Sunday.
                "Who gets penalties the least?" Carroll said. "It's always the guys who play us."
                USC committed six penalties for 80 yards, while Oregon had one penalty for 5 yards. Carroll complained there were no holding calls against the Ducks' offensive line.
                "They could have called four or five holding penalties (for grabbing nose guard Sedrick Ellis)," Carroll said.
                He also complained about a holding penalty on offensive tackle Drew Radovich that nullified tailback Joe McKnight's 64-yard touchdown run.
                "It's a flash of a grasp and he let go," Carroll said.
                Another sore point was the limited use of tailback Stafon Johnson. Although still bothered by a sprained foot, Carroll regretted Johnson did not get more carries against Oregon. He finished with 9 yards in three carries.
                "He doesn't feel 100 percent. I was disappointed he didn't get involved more," Carroll said. "That happens when you rotate guys."
                Also: Offensive tackle Sam Baker underwent an MRI on Sunday on his sore hip and hamstring.
                "He's back where he was a couple weeks ago," Carroll said.
                Baker is questionable this week. Linebacker Kaluka Maiava (sprained thumb) and wide receiver Brad Walker (sprained ankle) suffered minor injuries.
                -----------------------------------------------------------
                Virginia's comeback was made more difficult by the absence of quarterback Jameel Sewell, who had thrown for a career-high 260 yards and a touchdown before succumbing to cramps with seven minutes left. He didn't return.
                True freshman Peter Lalich, who had taken two snaps in the previous four games, couldn't produce the same come-from-behind magic. He stepped into a third-and-11 situation on his first play and got popped, throwing an incompletion.
                He had shots on two more drives but only led the Cavaliers to one first down.
                UVa started its final drive on its own 15 with 1:24 left. After a first-down pass to Cary Koch, Lalich got crushed on a nine-yard sack. He threw two more incompletions before the pocket caved in again, with defen-sive end Willie Young getting a fourth-down sack to clinch the Wolfpack's first ACC win under coach Tom O'Brien and snap a conference losing streak of nine games.
                "That's a pretty tough spot, but you've got to do what you've got to do to win the game," said Lalich, who was 2-for-8 for 15 yards and was sacked three times.
                N.C. State quarterback Daniel Evans out-dueled Sewell in this battle of gunslingers, which resulted in 800 yards of total offense. Evans threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the first half when the Wolfpack built a 20-17 lead.
                Uva’s Dowling, a nickel back who was on the field because of injuries to Chris Cook (knee) and Parker (ankle), atoned for a mistake by getting his first career interception on N.C. State's next drive.
                The Wolfpack didn't stop going at him, however. After a UVa punt, Evans threw a fade up the right sideline that Owen Spencer hauled in over Dowling for a 30-yard gain. The next play was almost exactly the same. Evans put it in the right spot and Bowens made the catch in the corner of the end zone over a stunned Dowling.
                -----------------------------------------------------------
                Sophomore running back Jamaal Evans will make his first start for Georgia Tech Thursday night against No. 11 Virginia Tech if senior Tashard Choice does not.
                Choice had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 23 after injuring himself in Tech's win over Army Oct. 20. The extent of his injury has not be released, and Choice did not practice Sunday with the Jackets.
                "He's making tremendous progress, but we're 95 percent sure he won't play," Gailey said of Choice, who leads the ACC with 884 rushing yards. "Jamaal would start."
                Senior backup running back Rashaun Grant is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with an ankle injury suffered against Army.
                Although freshman Jonathan Dwyer is Tech's second leading rusher with 281 yards and seven touchdowns on 48 attempts, Evans is in line to start because of seniority. Both will play, and sophomore walk-on Tyler Evans might as well.
                The 5-foot-8, 196-pound Evans has rushed 21 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns after rushing 41 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns last season as a true freshman from Irving, Texas.
                "People say we have different styles, but nothing changed," Evans said. "That would be a great opportunity for me and Jon if Tashard doesn't play. If he does, that will be a great advantage for us, but me and Jon can show that we got more running backs."
                Dwyer appears to have more breakaway speed, and may not be as polished at allowing his blocks to develop, which is a strong suit for Choice.
                "Good runners are good runners. What he does well he's very good at right now, but he can get better," Gailey said. "I'm not sure it's patience, but vision and knowing where everything is, where the crease is going to be. He needs more experience in this type of running game."
                Dwyer, one of Tech's top recruits when he came from Kell High, has learned from Choice.
                "He's very patient. You don't have to have great speed if you have patience and great vision," he said. "I'm trying each and every week to improve myself. I'm still learning. I'm a young guy, and I'm still learning what I can and can't do, and trying to help the team win."
                Gailey said senior right guard Nate McManus, who missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, "practiced [Sunday] some, not full speed."
                If he does not play against the Hokies, sophomore Dan Voss is likely to make his third straight start at left guard, as senior Matt Rhodes has moved from left to right guard.
                In order for Choice to play, he would have to continue to demonstrate that he has strengthened his right leg since surgery, that he has good range of motion, and swelling must continue to subside.

                Final updates:


                Ryan Perrilloux QB, Louisiana State Tigers 10/29/07, Time: 6:54 am News: The Advocate is reporting Perrilloux was involved in an altercation and it is not expected that he face a suspension. According to his lawyer - “My understanding is he got beat up,” Nathan Fisher said. “I’m confident after listening to what he had to say that he’s innocent of any wrongdoing.” Analysis:
                Perrilloux has been in Les Miles' doghouse this season.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Player: Yvenson Bernard RB, Oregon State Beavers 10/28/07, Time: 11:08 pm Status:
                Updating a previous report from Saturday, the Beavers continue to indicate Bernard is doubtful for Saturday's contest against USC.
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Casey Dick QB, Arkansas Razorbacks 10/28/07, Time: 11:06 pm News: SportingNews.com is reporting Razorbacks head coach Houston Nutt expects to have his starting quarterback back on the field this week vs. Scar.










                Enuffs, enuff
                Comment
                • bigboydan
                  SBR Aristocracy
                  • 08-10-05
                  • 55420

                  #9
                  Heres a notable mention that I thought I'd add to the list. He was the SEC sacks leader.

                  JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron said Monday he has suspended defensive end Greg Hardy for a violation of team rules.
                  Comment
                  • bigboydan
                    SBR Aristocracy
                    • 08-10-05
                    • 55420

                    #10
                    Originally posted by bearmz
                    Sam Keller QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers 10/27/07, Time: 12:10 am News: Keller appeared to injure his shoulder/collarbone at the end of the Texas game and he left with his arm in a sling.
                    Keller's injury could keep him out a couple of weeks.


                    Heres an update that just came out minutes ago:

                    Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller is out for the season with a shoulder injury and Joe Ganz will start this week against eighth-ranked Kansas, coach Bill Callahan said Monday.
                    Comment
                    • Dirty D
                      SBR Wise Guy
                      • 09-26-06
                      • 796

                      #11
                      Great Thread!!! A lot of good info in one spot
                      Comment
                      • bigboydan
                        SBR Aristocracy
                        • 08-10-05
                        • 55420

                        #12
                        Just came across the newswires a few hours ago...

                        Rudy Carpenter expected to play against Oregon despite injury.
                        Comment
                        • bearmz
                          SBR Sharp
                          • 10-17-07
                          • 320

                          #13
                          Brandon Breazell WR, California-Los Angeles Bruins 10/29/07, Time: 10:18 pm News: The Los Angeles Times is reporting Breazell's status for Saturday's game is about 50-50. Analysis:
                          Breazell is dealing with bruised ribs and could be limited if he is able to go
                          Trojans head coach Pete Carroll has indicated John David Booty will regain his starting spot when healthy and indications out of Los Angeles seem to point towards Saturday's game against Oregon State.
                          Kahlil Bell RB, California-Los Angeles Bruins 10/29/07, Time: 10:12 pm Status:
                          News: The Los Angeles Times is reporting Bell suffered a torn ACL in Saturday's loss to Washington State and he will miss the rest of the 2007 season. Analysis:
                          With Bell out, Chris Markey will see the bulk of the snaps
                          P.J. Hill RB, Wisconsin-Madison Badgers 10/29/07, Time: 10:04 pm News: ESPN is reporting Hill is expected to play in Saturday's game against Ohio State. Head coach Bret Bielema indicated - "It was very, very sensitive and sore...We're encouraged that there wasn't any structural damage, just a bruise and hopefully it's something we can get through in a short amount of time
                          Ryan Perrilloux QB, Louisiana State Tigers 10/29/07, Time: 10:01 pm Status:
                          News: Updating a report from earlier today, Perrilloux is not expected to play in Saturday's game against Alabama due to his altercation at a bar
                          Rudy Carpenter QB, Arizona State Sun Devils 10/29/07, Time: 9:29 pm News: ESPN.com is reporting Carpenter suffered a sprained thumb against California, but the Sun Devils expect to have him in the lineup for Saturday's game against Oregon(Note: see previous post by bbdan)
                          Xavier Lee QB, Florida State Seminoles 10/29/07, Time: 6:53 pm Status:
                          News: The Seminoles have announced Lee has been suspended two games for a violation of team rules and will not travel with the team to the Boston College or Virginia Tech contests. Analysis:
                          Drew Weatherford looked better against Duke.

                          Thanks for the other updates posted, good help here.
                          Comment
                          • pags11
                            SBR Posting Legend
                            • 08-18-05
                            • 12264

                            #14
                            bearmz,

                            thanks for all of this bud...
                            Comment
                            • bearmz
                              SBR Sharp
                              • 10-17-07
                              • 320

                              #15
                              Dwight Dasher QB, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 10/29/07, Time: 10:35 pm News: The Tennessean is reporting Dasher is expected to sit out Saturday's game against UL Monroe with a knee sprain. PFS reported on Saturday night Dasher suffered a knee injury, but a MRI was upcoming. The true freshman quarterback will seek a second opinion later this week on the injury

                              Gonna watch this one closely as MTS was one of my plays

                              Pags, like to help as much as possible...you're one of the good ones out here.
                              Comment
                              • wolves
                                SBR Rookie
                                • 10-12-07
                                • 37

                                #16
                                Wow, amazing information. One of the most useful threads around.

                                Thanks
                                Comment
                                • bigboydan
                                  SBR Aristocracy
                                  • 08-10-05
                                  • 55420

                                  #17
                                  Heres one to add to the collection today:

                                  BOISE, Idaho -- After missing the last two games with a bruised kidney, Boise State running back Ian Johnson has been cleared by team doctors to return to practice, coach Chris Petersen said Monday.
                                  Comment
                                  • bearmz
                                    SBR Sharp
                                    • 10-17-07
                                    • 320

                                    #18
                                    After beating Maryland 30-17 on Saturday, Clemson finds itself back in the AP Poll, at No. 25, and in the BCS rankings, also eeking in at the No. 25 spot. The problem is, they paid a big price to get there, in the form of sophomore speedster Jacoby Ford. The receiver broke his left ankle in the fourth quarter of the game, ending his season and letting some air out of the Tigers' tires.
                                    The team's third-leading rusher behind one-two punch Davis and C.J. Spiller, Ford has 14 carries for 172 yards on the season, including a long run of 53. He has started five of the team's eight games. The consensus fastest player on the team, Ford ranks fourth on the team in receiving, with 17 receptions for 310 yards and four TDs. He averages more than 18 yards per catch and is second on the team in all-purpose yardage, accumulating more than 100 yards per game.
                                    Ford really shines most on special teams, where he is the ACC's second-leading kickoff returner with an average of 26.4 yards, but with only eight returns this season, he will not be included in the league rankings.
                                    Ford is unquestionably one of Clemson's best skill players, so it goes without saying that without him on the field, the Tigers will have to change how they pick their primary play options.
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    NEB:With SQB Keller sidelined, junior Joe Ganz will get the start under center when Nebraska takes on No. 8 Kansas on Saturday, where they are 17-point underdogs. Ganz has played in three games this season, most recently completing 2 of 3 passes against Texas, including a 4-yard touchdown strike to Maurice Purify. Ganz has some running ability that should help the Huskers' offense, but it's never good news when the guy you didn't want starting suddenly becomes the starter by default.
                                    "We've given our backup quite a few [practice] reps during the season and he's well-prepared," head coach Bill Callahan said. "Our team and staff have the utmost confidence in him. We lose a good player, but we have a good player stepping in."
                                    Callahan will decide on a backup later in the week, but the choice is between freshman Patrick Witt and junior Beau Davis.
                                    As if that wasn't enough, linebacker Lance Brandenburgh also sustained a season-ending shoulder injury on Saturday. The senior ranks fourth on the team in tackles, with 51, and will certainly be missed from an uncharacteristically porous Blackshirt squad that needs every tackle it can get. He was also hurt in the fourth quarter while trying to make a tackle
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Florida's 2006 national championship team was known for its defense. The 2007 incarnation, not so much. Florida's defenders are young and inexperienced, and Saturday's loss to Georgia exposed them as such. The loss also banged them up even further, peppering the Gators with injuries and robbing them of at least two key contributors.
                                    Starting defensive tackle Javier Estopinian is gone for the season after the junior suffered his third ACL injury in three years, this time tearing it. Now the Gators will have to find someone to replace his 19 tackles, including three for a loss, a sack, a broken up pass and a QB hurry.
                                    Backup defensive tackle Terron Sanders will also miss at least a few games with a high ankle sprain.
                                    Those two losses will not help a defense that ranks 48th in the nation, allowing 359 yards per game, and just 87th against the pass. Florida is also 87th in the country in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert 42.6 percent of their third down opportunities. Plus, they're not the only defenders that are hurting.
                                    Cornerback Markihe Anderson never fully recovered from a preseason knee sprain, safety Major Wright has a broken thumb that kept him out of all defensive plays against Georgia, defensive end Derrick Harvey is struggling with a hip pointer and tackle Clint McMillan hurt his shoulder against the Bulldogs.
                                    The very depleted defensive line was already playing without Brandon Antwine, who spent 10 days in the hospital with a back injury, leaving the Gators with three defensive tackles: McMillan, freshman Lawrence Marsh and freshman Torrey Davis. Florida can either play a three-man line next weekend, or move Harvey, Duke Lemmons, Carlos Dunlap or Justin Trattou inside.
                                    "The expectation level of playing defense at Florida, that bar is pretty high," head coach Urban Meyer said. "I don't want to pin it all on defense because it's certainly not that. But the plan to win, No. 1, is always to play great defense. Make a stop in any on of those three [losses] and there's a chance you win the game."
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox led the Tigers to a 17-3 win over Ole Miss but Cox will sit out of practices with a bruised non-throwing shoulder.
                                    Cox was 16 for 26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss, the most important of which came in the waning minutes of the game, when Cox hit Rodgeriqus Smith with a 34-yard reception to seal the win.
                                    Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville did not reveal the injury until after the game, and downplayed it.
                                    "Brandon bruised his non-throwing shoulder and he will probably be out a couple of days," Tuberbille said. "He will be real sore."
                                    Auburn has a non-conference game this week (TN Tech) for Cox to test his shoulder against, not another formidable SEC foe like Georgia(11/10), which was able to hit Tebow where it hurt on Saturday. Cox should have plenty of time to rest and recover.
                                    Comment
                                    • bearmz
                                      SBR Sharp
                                      • 10-17-07
                                      • 320

                                      #19
                                      This UD deals strictly with the LSU/ALA game:

                                      The real question then is how will LSU prepare for ALA HC Saban, especially since he might actually know his former players as well as the current coaching staff.
                                      Saban recruited 17 of LSU’s starting 22 offensive and defensive players, including starting senior quarterback Matt Flynn.
                                      “It’s not a tremendous advantage or disadvantage one way or the other,’ Saban said. “I think you can see what they do. It’s fairly obvious what the strengths and weaknesses of players are when you watch tape. Unfortunately, there aren’t many weaknesses when you watch this group.”
                                      LSU senior defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey’s status for the Alabama game has not been determined. Dorsey, a first-team All-American as a junior who is a candidate for every major individual defensive award in college football this season, left LSU’s victory over Auburn with a sprained right knee after being subjected to a chop block by Auburn lineman Chaz Ramsey.
                                      Dorsey practiced Monday for the first time since sustaining the injury, wearing a brace on his knee that he will wear this weekend if he’s able to play. He said he was able to participate in about 70 percent of LSU’s drills.
                                      “We took it slow today, just precautionary,” he said. “As the days go on I’ll get more and more work.
                                      “It feels good. I don’t know if I’m going to be ready for Saturday.”
                                      BUQB Perrilloux, a sophomore who has passed for 414 yards and run for 192 to provide a spark off the bench in place senior starter Matt Flynn, and freshman reserve linebacker Derrick Odom were held out of Monday’s practice by LSU head coach Les Miles, who said he is still looking into the incident.

                                      ALA Injuries and suspension:

                                      Junior linebacker Ezekial Knight (ankle), and return specialist Jonathan Lowe (ankle), both practiced. Neither wore black signaling no contract.
                                      “I don’t have any new information on the suspended players from the Tennessee game,” Saban said. “We’ll be glad to share that with you when we get it.”
                                      Junior guard Antoine Caldwell, sophomore running back Glen Coffee, junior guard Marlon Davis, and sophomore defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Carlos Rogers, were suspended prior to the Tennessee game for violating “institutional policy involving impermissible receipt of books.” All practiced Monday.
                                      With two starting offensive lineman still out, the second unit was, from left to right, senior Chris Capps, freshman Taylor Pharr, senior Morgan Garner, freshman David Ross, and sophomore Drew Davis.
                                      Although junior end Bobby Greenwood (ankle) saw significant playing time against Tennessee, he still lined up with the second unit behind sophomore Brandon Deaderick. Freshman Brian Motley (ankle) was likewise behind sophomore Lorenzo Washington.
                                      -- Judging from Monday's practice, Alabama expects to be without five suspended football players for Saturday's 4 p.m. visit from third-ranked LSU.
                                      Tailback Glen Coffee and defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers wore scout-team jersey numbers Monday, while offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis opened practice primarily as defensive dummies, not practicing with either of the first-string units.
                                      Comment
                                      • bearmz
                                        SBR Sharp
                                        • 10-17-07
                                        • 320

                                        #20
                                        Kentucky safety Marcus McClinton will miss the final three games of the regular season with a fractured scapula.
                                        McClinton, a starter and one of the top playmakers in the Wildcats secondary, suffered the injury in a 31-14 loss to Mississippi State Saturday. Coach Rich Brooks said Tuesday that McClinton should be available to play in a bowl game.
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
                                        The UCLA Bruins have been without starting quarterback Ben Olson since a left knee injury knocked him out in the first quarter of the 20-6 loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 6. Backup Patrick Cowan, who hurt his right knee against Washington on Sept. 22, returned to help the Bruins beat California 30-21 on Oct. 20. Then, obviously still not fully recovered from the knee injury, was ineffective in last weekend's loss in Pullman.
                                        Tailback Khalil Bell, who has averaged 99.4 yards a game rushing this year, scored on a 50-yard run on the third play against the Cougars, then went out with season-ending knee injury. He will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee as soon as the swelling subsides.
                                        Tailback Chris Markey, the team's leading rusher and receiver last year, has seen limited duty in recent weeks because of a toe injury.
                                        Brandon Breazell, who has 34 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns, left the game against WSU in the second quarter because of bruised ribs and is listed as day-to-day.
                                        "We're going to have young players have opportunities to step up and play," Dorrell said.
                                        ----------------------------------------------------
                                        Monday, October 29, 2007 Michigan
                                        Update: Hart (ankle) is expected to play Saturday against Michigan State, according to the Associated Press.
                                        Recommendation: Hart was the nation's leading rusher earlier in the season but has missed two and a half games with an ankle injury. He should return as a workhorse for the Wolverine offense Saturday when they travel to face the Spartans.
                                        Monday, October 29, 2007
                                        Update: Henne (shoulder) is expected to play Saturday against Michigan State, according to the Associated Press.
                                        Recommendation: Henne did not dress for Saturday's win over Minnesota and should have that shoulder well rested when the Wolverines take on the Spartans. Michigan has been playing well as of late, so expect to see a good game out of him Saturday against in-state rival Michigan State.
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        Some notes and tidbits:

                                        Georgia and Tennessee each have two conference losses, but the Vols already have beaten the Bulldogs, giving them the tiebreaker advantage. Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt have three league losses apiece. Tennessee is the only team that controls its destiny. All the rest need some help. The Vols were blown out in all three of their losses and lost by a combined 63 points in their two league losses.

                                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        It's bad enough to allow 216 rushing yards in a game. But Nebraska allowed that in one quarter – to one player, Texas TB Jamaal Charles. His big fourth-quarter performance lifted Texas to a 28-25 victory after it trailed 17-9 entering the period. The loss was Nebraska's fourth in a row, its longest such streak since 1961.
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Buffalo at Miami University: Buffalo has a chance to basically nail down the MAC East title with a victory over the RedHawks. It also would raise the profile of second-year coach Turner Gill. A win would give the Bulls a two-game division lead with two to go.
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Saturday's victory over reeling California was the latest example of Erickson's Sun Devils dominating the second half. They outscored Cal 17-0 in the second half en route to a 31-20 victory. Through eight games, they now have outscored their opponents 153-29 in the second half
                                        Arizona State can survive the loss of Ryan Torain: Arizona State wishes it still had the services of TB Ryan Torain, who had rushed for nearly 1,800 yards over the past two seasons before fracturing a bone in his left foot two weeks ago. But the Sun Devils proved Saturday their running game could succeed without him. Keegan Herring and Dimitri Nance combined to rush for 181 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-20 victory over California. Herring stepped into a starting role and gained 96 yards on 24 carries while doing his best work in the second half. Nance ran 21 times for 85 yards and three touchdowns
                                        ------------------------------------------------------
                                        Connecticut fields the best (statistical) defense you're not watching. The Huskies padded their stats and win total with a soft early schedule, but have proven their mettle on defense in the past two weeks. UConn held Brian Brohm to 228 yards and picked him off twice two weeks ago. Then, the Huskies held USF scoreless in three of five trips to the red zone. Connecticut capped the win with a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter to stay undefeated in the Big East.
                                        -------------------------------------------------------
                                        The apprehension about Texas Tech was justified. Just two weeks ago the Red Raiders were averaging 50 points per game, but that was against a collection of some of the nation's weakest defensive teams — SMU, UTEP, Rice, Oklahoma State and Baylor. The Red Raiders haven't been nearly as productive against respectable defenses. They needed a late touchdown Saturday to make it close in a 31-26 home loss to Colorado, which came a week after a 41-10 loss at Missouri. QB Graham Harrell was being touted as a Heisman Trophy contender, but has thrown eight interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, in the past two games
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------
                                        Dennis Dixon isn't the only duck that deserves Heisman hype: Dixon has done an outstanding job as Oregon's standout signal caller, but the most impressive Duck in Saturday's 24-17 victory over USC was tailback Jonathan Stewart.
                                        Rushing for 103 yards against Pac-10 also-rans is one thing. Doing it against a Trojan run defense that allows just 64.1 yards per game is another.
                                        Comment
                                        • bearmz
                                          SBR Sharp
                                          • 10-17-07
                                          • 320

                                          #21
                                          Taylor's ankle improved
                                          Tech coach Frank Beamer said Monday that he won't name his starting quarterback for Thursday's ACC game at Georgia Tech until Wednesday, at the earliest. Freshman Tyrod Taylor, who missed the BC game with a high right ankle sprain, has taken the No. 2 QB reps in practice the past two days behind Sean Glennon.
                                          "Yes, I do feel like I can play Thursday," Taylor said following Sunday's practice. "I'm still going to treatment twice a day. I figure I was in the low 80s-percent range last week, but I'm up in the 90s and feeling pretty good right now."
                                          The Hokies shouldn't mind going to Atlanta. Since joining the ACC in 2004, Tech is 10-4 at home and 13-1 on the road
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter showed up at his weekly campus news conference wearing a black brace on his sprained right thumb.
                                          Carpenter hurt his thumb handing off to tailback Keegan Herring in a 31-20 victory over California on Saturday. Although Carpenter still had swelling in his hand two days later, he's expected to play at Oregon (No. 5 BCS, No. 4 AP) this week.
                                          ASU (No. 4 BCS, No. 6 AP) had Monday off. Erickson said he expects Carpenter to try to throw in practice on Tuesday.
                                          "We'll be careful with it," Erickson said. "We just want him to be able to play and be 100 percent Saturday, but he's still got to practice to see the different things that we see. He doesn't necessarily have to throw the football during the week, but as long as he sees things, that's the biggest thing."
                                          Sophomore Danny Sullivan is Arizona State's backup quarterback.
                                          One indication that Carpenter isn't badly hurt: After the news conference, he carried a large soft drink cup in his right hand.
                                          "It's nothing special," Carpenter said, referring to the injury. "I wasn't happy about it because it was my throwing hand and it was hurting. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to throw the rest of the game or at that moment."
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee State's offense might become Joe's show once again.
                                          Starting freshman quarterback Dwight Dasher will likely be sidelined by a knee injury Saturday in MTSU's game at Louisiana-Monroe, or at least that's Coach Rick Stockstill's early assessment.
                                          If Dasher is unavailable, former starter Joe Craddock will make his first start since suffering a back injury against LSU in Week Three.
                                          "I can't say for sure right now, and we're going back for a second opinion (about Dasher's injury)," Stockstill said. "But from what I've been told, I'm not overly optimistic that he'll be able to play (Saturday)."
                                          Dasher had an MRI on Sunday, and MTSU sought a second medical opinion Monday on his injury, which was originally diagnosed as a left-knee sprain following MTSU's 48-28 victory at North Texas last Saturday.
                                          Stockstill didn't provide any specific update of Dasher's injury, but said the freshman quarterback likely will be out against ULM Saturday.
                                          MTSU has won four of its last five games, including three straight Sun Belt victories, with Dasher as its starter.
                                          Dasher leads the Sun Belt in passing efficiency and his team-high 519 rushing yards are only 75 yards shy of MTSU's single-season rushing record by a quarterback (Marvin Collier).
                                          "Obviously, we lose some things with Dwight out because there are things that Dwight can do that Joe can't," Stockstill said. "But it's like I've been saying all year about all positions, that for us to play well somebody has to step up and replace an injured player."
                                          Craddock, though not as explosive of a runner as Dasher, is an effective passer. Craddock ranks second in the Sun Belt in passing efficiency behind Dasher. He has thrown for 653 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
                                          Comment
                                          • bigboydan
                                            SBR Aristocracy
                                            • 08-10-05
                                            • 55420

                                            #22
                                            Speaking of ASU's Rudy Carpenter. The latest reports floating out there tonight is that he couldn't even throw the ball in practice today.
                                            Comment
                                            • bigboydan
                                              SBR Aristocracy
                                              • 08-10-05
                                              • 55420

                                              #23
                                              Not all that big of deal really, but I figured I'd report here it just in case fellas.

                                              HONOLULU -- Hawaii reserve running back Mario Cox has been dismissed from the team.

                                              Coach June Jones would not say why the 5-foot-11, 250-pound sophomore was kicked off the team.

                                              Cox, of Oakland, appeared in five games this season for Hawaii (No. 14 BCS, No. 12 AP), rushing four times for nine yards and catching two passes for 15 yards.
                                              Comment
                                              • pags11
                                                SBR Posting Legend
                                                • 08-18-05
                                                • 12264

                                                #24
                                                bearmz and dan,

                                                keep up the good work collecting this information...
                                                Comment
                                                • bearmz
                                                  SBR Sharp
                                                  • 10-17-07
                                                  • 320

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by bigboydan
                                                  Speaking of ASU's Rudy Carpenter. The latest reports floating out there tonight is that he couldn't even throw the ball in practice today.
                                                  Carpenter took snaps and handed off but didn't throw Tuesday, his first practice since he sprained the thumb.
                                                  "He couldn't throw," Erickson said. "His thumb swelled up. It bothers him a little bit."
                                                  Erickson reacted with disbelief when asked if there was any chance Carpenter would sit out against the Ducks.
                                                  "He'll play," Erickson said. "I would be shocked if he didn't come out throwing by Thursday, but I'm not a doctor."
                                                  Carpenter didn't speak to reporters.
                                                  If Carpenter can't play, the Sun Devils would turn to sophomore Danny Sullivan, who has completed 11 of 14 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in mop-up duty this season.
                                                  Comment
                                                  • Cougar Bait
                                                    SBR Posting Legend
                                                    • 10-04-07
                                                    • 18282

                                                    #26
                                                    This is quickly becoming my favorite thread. Good job guys.
                                                    Comment
                                                    • bearmz
                                                      SBR Sharp
                                                      • 10-17-07
                                                      • 320

                                                      #27
                                                      Auburn appears to have found a way to keep Quentin Groves and Antonio Coleman on the field together.
                                                      The 19th-ranked Tigers are moving Groves from defensive end to linebacker at least part-time entering the final three regular-season games of his college career, making way for the fast-rising Coleman.
                                                      "I've taken on a new role," Groves said Tuesday. "I'm a linebacker now. Different meeting room. Different set of film study."
                                                      Well, not entirely. Groves and Coleman will still team up at end on pass rushing downs for the Tigers (6-3), who face Tennessee Tech on Saturday. It should be a nice tuneup for Groves in his new role before they face their two biggest rivals, Ala and Geo.
                                                      With Coleman's emergence, the move allows the Tigers to keep two of their better defensive players on the field more frequently while run-stopper Sen'Derrick Marks remains at the other end spot. The sophomore Coleman leads the team and ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference with 12 1/2 tackles for losses and six sacks -- most of those coming since he has been the starter the past four games. Groves was sidelined for two games with a toe injury and has remained limited.
                                                      "We're looking for ways to get them all on the field," coach Tommy Tuberville said. "Starting next week, you want to have your best players on the field when you're playing conference games. Going into those last two games, we're going to need everybody out there at the same time."
                                                      Groves will help fill in for linebacker Craig Stevens, who will miss Saturday's game with a sprained ankle, Tuberville said. Coleman's play is another big factor in the move.
                                                      He had two sacks against Mississippi last weekend and also changed direction fast enough to make a tackle behind the line on a reverse. Coleman also pressured Brent Schaeffer into a bad pass late that was intercepted in the end zone to help Auburn pull away for a 17-3 win.
                                                      Coleman played in every game last season but didn't have a sack and managed only one tackle for loss. His emergence this season has caught some by surprise, but not his teammates.
                                                      "A lot of people weren't talking about him in the beginning of the season," Marks said. "Everybody was talking about Quentin, and now he came in and he's leading the team in sacks.
                                                      "Now, a lot of people are keying on him. They'll do the things they were doing to Quentin, and that opens up a lot for other guys on the defensive line."
                                                      Groves, meanwhile, remains stuck at three sacks this season, leaving him tied for the school record of 26.
                                                      Starting tailback Brad Lester was held out of practice Tuesday with a lingering groin injury, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said.
                                                      "He's had a groin problem most of the year and last week he aggravated it a little just before halftime," Tuberville said. "We want to get him as healthy as we can. He should be ready to go by Saturday."
                                                      In other injury news, Tuberville said linebacker Craig Stevens (ankle) will not play. Offensive lineman Ryan Pugh (shin/ankle) did not practice and won't play unless he can return to practice by today. Aairon Savage (knee) will definitely play this week.
                                                      Running back Tristan Davis, who broke his toe in August and then broke a bone in his foot during his first game back, has started jogging. He won't play this week, but could have a chance to return against Georgia or Alabama.
                                                      "He wants to play," Tuberville said. "We're just taking it day by day with him."
                                                      -- NICE CATCH: Tailback Mario Fannin has been lining up as a slot receiver occasionally to maximize his touches. Fannin has been crowded out of the backfield by Lester and Ben Tate, who have received the bulk of the carries.
                                                      "Mario, he's a tough cat," said receiver Rod Smith. "He has great hands. He's a good runner. We definitely use him as a weapon catching the screens on the outside. That's a good asset to the team."
                                                      -- TOO MANY KICKS:
                                                      Auburn freshman kicker Wesley Byrum turned his ankle in the first game of the season and has battled a strained quad in recent weeks.
                                                      "These young kickers -- the same thing happened to (former kicker) John Vaughn and (former punter) Kody Bliss a few years ago when they were freshmen," Tuberville said. "They're not used to kicking like that every day for four or five months. It usually starts wearing on them. It happens."
                                                      Byrum has been held out of practice, but special teams coach Eddie Gran said Byrum would handle field goals and extra points Saturday.
                                                      Byrum won't do kickoffs, however. For that duty, the Tigers will choose between Morgan Hull, Zach Kutch, Patrick Tatum and possibly others.

                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Tennessee's defense has a knack for making some of its opponents look really good.
                                                      The youthful squad has given up more than 500 yards in three different games and allowed Alabama's D.J. Hall and South Carolina's Kenny McKinley career days receiving.
                                                      But Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis insists he's not worried.
                                                      "I'm not concerned about the yardage, I'm concerned about wins. If we can win pretty that's good, but let's win first and then worry about that second," he said.
                                                      The 24th-ranked Vols (5-3) finally are starting to see some of the raw talent of Chavis' young players. They held South Carolina to two field goals late last week, giving the offense a chance to rally for a 27-24 overtime victory.
                                                      Tennessee's average 418.5 yards allowed per game ranks its defense second to last in the Southeastern Conference. The Vols' rushing defense fares a little better than against the pass, which gives up an SEC-worst 259.1 average yards per game.
                                                      Coach Phillip Fulmer said Tuesday he's encouraged by the improvement of the defensive line and linebackers and sees more tackles for losses and increasing pressure on quarterbacks.
                                                      Cornerback DeAngelo Willingham made his second start against South Carolina, filling in for an injured Marsalous Johnson. He said the coaches have instructed the secondary to play a bit soft as they work through their inexperience.
                                                      Willingham would like to play more aggressively, but he understands the secondary must improve a bit more first.
                                                      "If we get our technique better than it is now, we won't have any problem," he said.
                                                      The Vols have used six different lineups in the secondary this season. The unit now includes Willingham, a junior college transfer; two freshmen in Eric Berry and Brent Vinson; and Jonathan Hefney is the lone senior.
                                                      Freshman Dennis Rogan is expected to also play against Louisiana-Lafayette (1-7) Saturday as a third cornerback.
                                                      The secondary has been hardest hit by injuries. Senior cornerback Antonio Gaines tore a knee ligament against Southern Mississippi. Johnson also suffered a knee injury before the South Carolina game. Both are expected to miss the rest of the season.
                                                      That doesn't include the loss last year of backs Inquoris "Inky" Johnson, Roshaun Fellows or safety Demetrice Morley. Johnson would have been a senior this season but suffered career-ending nerve damage after a hard hit, and Morley and Fellows were dismissed from the team.
                                                      If big plays count, the defense may be starting to click.
                                                      Berry's 96-yard interception return for a touchdown was one of the Vols' few highlights against Florida. Berry also had an interception and returned a fumble 52 yards against South Carolina. Willingham forced two fumbles against South Carolina and had 10 tackles.
                                                      Defensive end Robert Ayres said that's just the kind of play to boost confidence and make all the players on the squad play better.
                                                      In UT’s five SEC games, it has scored 96 points in the first half and 36 in the second half. It would be worse were it not for an Eric Berry interception return in the third quarter at Florida.
                                                      The problems have stuck out more in the last two weeks. The Vols didn’t scratch in the second half of a 41-17 defeat at Alabama Oct. 20, then managed just two field goals after halftime in their 27-24 overtime win last week over South Carolina
                                                      The offense’s inability to extend possessions and score points has taxed a defense already limited by injuries, defections and a lack of playmakers.
                                                      After toiling for 84 plays at Alabama, the defense had to work 89 plays against South Carolina. It didn’t help that five of the offense’s first six second half possessions went 3-and-out.

                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      USC:
                                                      Tuesday afternoon, Lloyd Lake, ex-con, former aspiring sports marketer and worst nightmare for the University of Southern California football program, dropped a lawsuit in a San Diego County courthouse and a bomb on the Trojans.
                                                      While few of the allegations are new, the lawsuit, and Lake's scheduled meeting with NCAA investigators, changes the entire dynamic of the Reggie Bush case. It is the single worst development that could have happened to USC
                                                      About the only thing, if anything, that can save the Trojans is Bush settling the nearly $300,000 suit between now and Lake's Friday meeting with the NCAA.
                                                      With the suit filed and Lake cooperating, the amount of physical evidence and first-person testimony on the case – the lawsuit alleges correspondence from Bush to New Era that "reaffirmed his commitment to repay (Lake)" – should end all reasonable doubt concerning much of what went down. If Bush ever sits for a deposition, then it could get even worse
                                                      If Bush is determined ineligible dating back to November of 2004 – when Lake alleges in the lawsuit payouts began – then the Trojans 2004 BCS Championship and 2005 runnerup season are in jeopardy. Moreover, if the NCAA determines that USC was lacking institutional control as agents and marketing reps hovered around, the program faces significant sanctions going forward.
                                                      The potential for greater trouble looms in what USC hasn't released publicly
                                                      But for USC, Tuesday's lawsuit was a terrible development, the kind that can blow open the doors on Heritage Hall, imperil both the past and future and send Carroll scurrying back to the NFL.
                                                      USC coach Pete Carroll rarely forecasts what will happen, but he predicted big things for the Trojans' much-maligned offense, with an expanded playbook accompanying the return of quarterback John David Booty.
                                                      "I really think it will change this week," Carroll said. "I think we can make it go."
                                                      USC scored just 17 points despite being inside Oregon's 20-yard line five times.
                                                      Booty showed no effects from his broken finger and took all the snaps with the first team during Tuesday's practice. He even got hit in the hand by a defensive lineman without further injury.
                                                      "Some one came in and batted (the ball out)," Booty said. "I was kind of glad I did get hit, to see it was OK."
                                                      Booty also took extensive snaps from the shotgun, which USC finally appears ready to implement. He said he never wondered if he would return to the starting lineup.
                                                      Injury update: Offensive tackle Sam Baker (hamstring) did not practice and probably will not play although no official decision will be made before Thursday.
                                                      Center Kris O'Dowd practiced but was also used at guard and tackle just in case further injuries occur during the Oregon State game.
                                                      Senior Matt Spanos remains the starting center, for now.
                                                      "He's not going to take Matt's spot right away," Carroll said.
                                                      Linebacker Kaluka Maiava (wrist) will play with a hard cast on his arm.


                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Miami quarterback Kyle Wright was on the practice field Tuesday, although his status for the Hurricanes' game this weekend against North Carolina State remains unclear.
                                                      Wright has a sprained left ankle and a sprained tendon behind his left knee. He was hurt in Miami's last game at Florida State on Oct. 20, and said he wouldn't have played if the Hurricanes had a game this past weekend.
                                                      "I tried to do as much as I could in individual drills and warm-ups," Wright said. "That's really where I'm at right now."
                                                      If Wright cannot play, Miami will have Kirby Freeman start against N.C. State.
                                                      Freeman was 4-for-11 for 59 yards and the winning touchdown at Florida State, taking over when Wright got hurt late in the first half.
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Joe Ganz is in a perfect situation during this imperfect Nebraska season.
                                                      The three-year backup quarterback will make his first start Saturday for a team that has lost four straight games and is at its lowest point since 1961.
                                                      Ganz has suited up for 35 games since arriving at Nebraska from Palos Heights, Ill., in 2004. He has appeared in only eight, mostly in mop-up
                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      In the Akron Zips' 27-20 win against rival Kent State on Sept. 22, Mackey, the leader not only on the defense but also on the entire Zips' team, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He returned from the locker room in the second half on crutches, and a few days later, the school said Mackey probably was out for the season
                                                      Mackey will undergo surgery, but that's after the season. For now, he's using a knee brace for support. The rest of it is all guts
                                                      UA coach J.D. Brookhart said Mackey got approval from team doctors a few weeks ago to get back on the field. Early last week, Mackey took the field for the first time in pads
                                                      ''He looked good,'' Brookhart said. ''We'll continue to evaluate him. How well he practices (this week) will determine how much he can play'' Friday at Bowling Green. Mackey played three series Saturday in the 26-10 loss at Buffalo
                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick returned to practice, after suffering a slight concussion and going to the hospital during last weekend’s game.
                                                      Arkansas coach Houston Nutt says Dick looked good during the practice and would be playing as quarterback for the Razorbacks for their coming home game against USC.
                                                      Dick was hurt in the first half of Arkansas’ 58-10 win Saturday against Florida International. Nutt previously described Dick as just being a little sore after the collision
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      The Troy St Trojans and Geo Bulldogs head into Saturday's game with identical 6-2 records, but the Bulldogs have sandwiched Troy between two rivalry games - Florida and Auburn.
                                                      Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook must play. Haugabook is getting treatment for a hamstring injury incurred against Arkansas State.
                                                      If it's up to Haugabook, he'll be in the game.
                                                      “I'm going to play,” he said during Monday's Troy press conference. But Troy coach Larry Blakeney said that his senior quarterback is doubtful, and it will likely be a game-time decision whether to play the reigning Sun Belt player of the year.
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Baylor coach Guy Morriss said Tuesday that sophomore Blake Szymanski will start at quarterback against Texas Tech.
                                                      Szymanski started the first seven games of the season before getting benched before the Texas game. At the time, Morriss said, "We're not burying him by any means."
                                                      Good thing Morriss didn't, because he needed Szymanski to finish out last Saturday's 51-13 loss at Kansas State.
                                                      Starter Michael Machen got rattled early and backup John David Weed didn't give the Bears any spark. Szymanski entered the fray before halftime and wound up playing the entire second half.
                                                      Szymanski completed 15 of 21 passes for 213 yards and threw two touchdowns against the Wildcats. He also threw an interception and lost two fumbles as the Bears turned it over seven times.
                                                      Szymanski has completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 2,147 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. His touchdown total is two shy of tying Shawn Bell's school record set last season.
                                                      "He played pretty good the other day," Morriss said. "He's got enough experience and was pretty calm out there on the field, I thought. We feel like right now, he gives us the best shot."
                                                      Morriss said redshirt freshman Tyler Beatty would be Szymanski's backup followed by Weed. Machen could figure into the depth chart, but he missed Tuesday's practice with a shoulder injury. That could keep him out today as well.
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      • Missouri tailback Tony Temple (ankle) returned to the lineup Saturday for the first time since Oct. 6. He was the Tigers' leading rusher against Iowa State with 40 yards and a touchdown. He said Saturday he was "definitely not 100 percent," but coach Gary Pinkel said Monday Temple is fully recovered
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Clemson’s lack of a pass rush has spurred the No. 25 Tigers toward a youth movement — at least temporarily.
                                                      Sophomore Jamie Cumbie, previously the backup at strongside end, has shifted to tackle and may start Saturday’s noon game against Duke.
                                                      Cumbie figures to replace junior Rashaad Jackson, who will likely sit out after spraining his left knee last week.
                                                      Cumbie said he was unsure whether the switch is permanent, but he figures it is the result of the Tigers’ 12 sacks through eight games — tied with Maryland for last in the ACC.
                                                      Two seldom-used freshmen — Jarvis Jenkins and Miguel Chavis — worked as the second-string tackles, with junior Jock McKissic and sophomore Antwon Murchison, the incumbent backups, dropping to third string.
                                                      With Cumbie moved to the interior, freshman Rennie Moore was elevated to second-string strongside end
                                                      Tailback C.J. Spiller predicted he will have a part in filling the roles vacated by injured receiver Jacoby Ford.
                                                      Ford was as much a weapon in Clemson’s running game as he was being a receiver, having notched nearly as many carries (14) on plays like end-arounds as he did catches (17).
                                                      Koenning was non-committal about whether senior weakside linebacker Nick Watkins will start Saturday.
                                                      Watkins was held out Monday for academic reasons. Two weeks ago, he and fellow linebacker Tramaine Billie sat out the first two series of the Central Michigan game for skipping study hall.
                                                      Senior left guard Chris McDuffie (sprained ankle) hopes to be allowed to practice today and wants to return for Saturday’s game. “I’ve only got four more games left,”
                                                      If it were up to Duke quarterback Thad Lewis, they would throw the ball on every play.
                                                      But he knows that just isn't realistic when the Blue Devils play host to No. 25 Clemson -- the Atlantic Coast Conference's best team against the pass. The Tigers allow an average of just more than 155 yards.
                                                      That's bad news for a Duke team that throws the ball much more effectively than it rushes. It could make it tough to score against the Tigers (6-2, 3-2 ACC).
                                                      That didn't happen last week at Florida State. The Blue Devils (1-7, 0-5 ACC) managed just nine yards on 19 carries in last week's loss and have not had a 100-yard rusher this season.
                                                      If Clemson shuts down the Blue Devils' passing offense, it could be a long day for the Duke defense. Nose guard Ayanga Okpokowuruk admitted the Duke defenders wore down during the Florida State game, but didn't pin the responsibility on the offense's inability to run the ball.
                                                      Comment
                                                      • bearmz
                                                        SBR Sharp
                                                        • 10-17-07
                                                        • 320

                                                        #28
                                                        Facing UConn in 2005, Rice had 27 carries for 217 yards to help Rutgers to 26-24 road win. Last year, the Huskies limited Rice to 79 yards on 22 rushes, but his 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter opened the scoring and propelled the Scarlet Knights to a 24-13 victory.
                                                        Rutger’s Quarterback Mike Teel, playing with a bruised right throwing hand that is "on the mend" according to coach Greg Schiano, was 14-of-30 with a season-low 128 yards with two interceptions vs. WV..
                                                        With two losses, Rutgers no longer controls its fate as far as winning the Big East, but Teel said they'll continue to prepare.
                                                        The Scarlet Knights are 1-2 TY against ranked foes. Only the 1988 squad has beaten two Top 25 teams in one season, posting wins over Michigan State and Penn State.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        East Carolina win against UAB Saturday came at a cost. Injuries to Davon Drew (ankle) and Mark Robinson (thigh) are unknown, as far as severity.
                                                        Offensive lineman Fred Hicks will have surgery this week on an injured ankle and will be out indefinitely.
                                                        Offensive tackle Willie Barton is also expected to miss Saturday’s game. Offensive lineman Josh Coffman is listed as questionable.
                                                        Steven Heis will start at the center position.
                                                        “It was costly to us on the offensive line and bodies are getting a little scarce up front,” Holtz said.
                                                        Defensive lineman Marcus Hands will miss another game with a shoulder injury, while linebackers Nick Johnson, Quentin Cotton, Jeremy Chambliss and Pierre Bell are listed as probable against Memphis.
                                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Florida's smallest player might have a bigger job Saturday afternoon against Vanderbilt.
                                                        Brandon James already has established himself as one of the nation's top punt and kick returners, but the 5-foot-6, 181-pound sophomore from St. Augustine High School could take over for Kestahn Moore as the 18th-ranked Gators' starting running back. Moore had two first-quarter fumbles in a 42-30 loss to Georgia last Saturday and didn't touch the ball again in the game.
                                                        "We'll see what goes on this week at practice, but ball security is No. 1 at that position," UF coach Urban Meyer said of the running back spot. "Obviously, we didn't do that."
                                                        James replaced Moore against the Bulldogs and finished with 26 yards on five carries. He also caught one pass for 1 yard and returned one punt and five kickoffs, including a 52-yarder.
                                                        James' workload against the Commodores might be even larger - and he's eager for it.
                                                        "I think I pretty much showed that on Saturday, with me stepping in pretty much the whole game and then having that [52-yard] return at the end [that he can handle the workload]," James said. "I want to do whatever it takes for the team to win, so if it's running back and still doing returns, I just want to be on the field as much as I can to help the team."
                                                        There aren't any doubts among his teammates about James being able to manage all three jobs.
                                                        James has 10 carries for 70 yards and four catches for 26 yards this season, in addition to leading the SEC and ranking sixth in the country in punt returns (17.11 per return) and ranking second in the SEC and 15th in the country in kickoff returns (29.26).
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        The Bulldogs never established the running game, which, entering Friday, had generated three straight 200-plus yard games. Fresno State had the No. 19 running offense in the nation before Friday. But it dropped seven spots with a 190-yard average after registering just 89 yards.
                                                        Fresno State played without starting running back Lonyae Miller, who was sidelined with a knee injury. His status for this week's game against Utah State (0-8, 0-4) remains unclear. Miller averages 57.4 rushing yards and helps soften defenses with his north-south running style. He often has set up true freshman Ryan Mathews to come in later for explosive runs.
                                                        Mathews was held to 49 yards on 15 carries, the longest going for 9 yards.
                                                        But the injury that seemed to hurt the Bulldogs most was to starting center Joe Bernardi, who went down in the second half with a knee injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
                                                        Bernardi, a redshirt freshman, was not a starter at the beginning of the year but had started the past five games. The offensive line appeared to be playing with cohesiveness with Bernardi calling the line-blocking audibles.
                                                        Instead, the Bulldogs moved Ryan Wendell back from left guard to center, where the senior started the first two games. And three-year starter Cole Popovich got extensive playing time again at left guard, but the junior was returning from a five-game absence because of a knee injury.
                                                        "Got beat up front, obviously," Hill said when asked why the running game struggled against Boise State. "They won the battle in the trenches."
                                                        Because of it, Fresno State's offense never got in sync and were held to 15 first downs
                                                        And of course, Fresno State continues to have problems with its run defense, which yielded 282 yards.
                                                        They host Utah State, which has lost 18 of its past 19 games.
                                                        Then again, that lone Aggies victory was against the Bulldogs
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        It's a near certainty that Georgia will be without one of its starting safeties Saturday against Troy.
                                                        The Bulldogs may be without their leading receiver as well.
                                                        Safety Kelin Johnson's injury-riddled senior season gained another malady last Saturday against Florida when he suffered a knee injury that knocked him out for the second half -- and most likely this weekend's homecoming game.
                                                        "What's one shade away from no way?" Georgia coach Mark Richt asked whether Johnson would suit up to face the Trojans.
                                                        Johnson has started seven of Georgia's eight games, but has missed parts of several others with shoulder, rib and concussion issues. He's tied for fifth on the team with 29 tackles, but Richt said the continuous problems have dampened Johnson's spirits.
                                                        "He's a little bit in the tank about it, but he's got to count his blessings -- and I'm sure he does," Richt said, noting that Reshad Jones would likely start in Johnson's place and that Quintin Banks would receive additional playing time. "When it's your last shot as a senior, it's hard to stomach not being out there with your team."
                                                        Receiver Sean Bailey, who leads the Bulldogs with 334 receiving yards, is uncertain whether he'll be able to go either.
                                                        Bailey missed Tuesday's practice because of a left knee injury he suffered in the first quarter against Florida. Although he completed the game, Bailey had difficulty walking on the injured knee later that night.
                                                        "There's a little clicking. It feels real tight," Bailey said. "It's gotten better every day, but that first night I could hardly walk on it."
                                                        Richt said he was unsure who would handle punt return duties on Saturday and assistant coach Jon Fabris -- who coordinates Georgia's punt return team -- failed to shed any light on the decision on Tuesday.
                                                        Partially because of the hamstring injury that has plagued Henderson recently, Fabris opted to go with Flowers last weekend against Florida. Flowers returned one punt for 8 yards against the Gators.
                                                        Henderson made a leaping 53-yard touchdown grab between two defenders against Florida, but Richt said his work as a receiver, gunner on the punt coverage team and punt returner might overload the still-recovering hamstring.
                                                        "If he's a gunner, punt returner, receiver and he fatigues and then all of a sudden in the middle of the game, you're not sure if he's 100 percent or not, I think that was part of the reason why coach Fab made that decision," Richt said. "But Mikey's certainly in the mix still. And if he gets to that 100 percentile, I'm sure he'll have a better chance of playing than saying he's 95 percent."
                                                        Henderson leads the team with an average of 13.5 yards per return, while Flowers has been able to return only two punts for 15 yards (7.5 per return) thus far. Fabris said either player, or both, could easily be called upon on Saturday.
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GT Coach Chan Gailey confirmed Tuesday starting right guard Nate McManus is out for the season because of injury, joining defensive end Robert Hall and tight end Brad Sellers on the college equivalent of the injured reserve list.
                                                        Halfback Rashaun Grant will likely miss the rest of the year as well with a lower leg injury.
                                                        Virginia Tech will be without all-American linebacker Vince Hall , starting center Ryan Shuman and possibly quarterback Tyrod Taylor in Thursday night's game.
                                                        Taylor, a true freshman, started five games before spraining his ankle two weeks ago in a victory over Duke. He did not play last week against Boston College.
                                                        Taylor told reporters Sunday he should be able to play against Georgia Tech, although Glennon has taken practice snaps with the starters this week. Coach Frank Beamer said he won't name a starter until Wednesday at the earliest.
                                                        "We've prepared for both of them," Gailey said. "My guess is both of them will play. That's what we have to plan on."
                                                        Glennon opened the season as a starter and has played well in Taylor's absence. He threw for 258 yards against Duke and 149 yards versus Boston College. He did not throw an interception in either game.
                                                        Georgia Tech rattled Glennon in last year's meeting, a 38-27 Yellow Jacket victory. The defense sacked Glennon four times and he completed just half his passes.
                                                        Georgia Tech's defense ranks in the top-10 in the nation in five statistical categories. The Yellow Jackets are second in tackles for loss, tied for fourth in sacks, sixth in scoring defense, seventh in total defense and eighth in rushing defense. Virginia Tech's defense ranks in the top-15 nationally in all those categories... . The Hokies are the only ACC team to post more conference wins than the Yellow Jackets over the last three seasons. Virginia Tech is 16-4; Georgia Tech is 14-7. Georgia Tech is also second in wins over the last six seasons, trailing only Florida State.
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                                                        Comment
                                                        • bearmz
                                                          SBR Sharp
                                                          • 10-17-07
                                                          • 320

                                                          #29
                                                          UTEP debuted a new offensive formation against Houston, going with a two-back set featuring both Marcus Thomas and Terrell Jackson.
                                                          With Lorne Sam at quarterback running the zone-read option, it served as a three-back set
                                                          It gives us a little more misdirection," UTEP head coach Mike Price said. "It didn't work out like we thought it would work out. We didn't confuse them.
                                                          "We can put three of our best athletes in the backfield at the same time. We're going to continue to use it a little more."
                                                          Seeing red: The Miners continued to be masters of the red zone, going
                                                          2-for-2 with two touchdowns against Houston to extend their streak to 22 consecutive scores on trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Nineteen of trips have resulted in touchdowns.
                                                          In Conference USA games, the Miners are 15-for-15 in scoring inside the red zone with 14 touchdowns.
                                                          Surprisingly, Thomas' 178-yard day didn't get him into the end zone, as he dropped to fifth on the national scoring list while moving up to eighth in yards at 126.6 yards per game.
                                                          Streak ender: UTEP didn't force a turnover in Saturday's game, marking the first time since the opener it failed to do so. The Miners also lost the turnover battle (1-0) for the first time this year. The team now is 17th nationally in turnover margin. The one turnover against Houston happened on special teams.
                                                          Efficient: The Miners lead C-USA in passing efficiency in conference games with a 157.1 rating. They have completed 62 percent off their passes for 1,233 yards in the four games with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions.
                                                          Closing in: Trevor Vittatoe's 16 touchdown passes tied the school's freshman record, established by John Rayborn in 1995. He needs just 76 yards to break Rayborn's yardage mark of 1,913 yards.
                                                          Vittatoe is on pace to throw five interceptions, which would set the mark for fewest by a UTEP quarterback with at least 200 passing attempts.
                                                          New faces: UTEP has used 20 starters on defense this season, with true freshman Craig Wood joining that list against Houston.
                                                          Rice:
                                                          Success in terms of wins and losses has been tough to come by this year for the Owls, though they have been playing
                                                          better offensively the past four weeks, starting with a shocking 31-29 upset win at Southern Mississippi four weeks ago.
                                                          They also threw a major scare into their crosstown rival, Houston, before losing 56-48.
                                                          The key for the Owls is superstar junior receiver Jarrett Dillard, an NFL prospect who would have entered the year as a Heisman candidate if he played for a BCS-conference program.
                                                          Dillard was a first-team All-American selection by ESPN last year and a second-team selection by just about everyone else, as he caught touchdown passes in all 13 games of the 2006 campaign.
                                                          The junior almost certainly will set the Rice career receiving mark against UTEP, as he needs just 3 yards to do it. He has 2,358 career yards and 33 touchdowns.
                                                          And though he had 99 receiving yards in a 34-21 loss to previously winless Marshall last week, Dillard was held out of the end zone for the first time since the 2005 season.
                                                          "Number-wise, no, I'm not having as good of a year as last year," said Dillard, who still has 585 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. "But you look at our other receivers and they are having the best seasons they ever had. I'm double-teamed, triple-teamed and we're getting the ball to other people.
                                                          "That's fine with me."
                                                          The other linchpin in Rice's offense is quarterback Chase Clement, who lit up the Miners last year in Rice's victory that launched their late run and sent UTEP into a spiral.
                                                          "Chase Clement was extremely effective against us last year, and I thought he single-handedly beat us," Price said. "We chased him all over the field, and he threw the ball in there to Jarett Dillard. Dillard's not fast like (Donnie) Avery from Houston, but he can catch the ball. He never drops it, and he always makes a big play."
                                                          Besides struggling for victories, Rice has struggled to adapt to coaching changes. Bailiff is Rice's third coach in three years, as Todd Graham bolted after one season to take the head coaching job at Tulsa.
                                                          Bailiff then was brought in from Texas State, where he had been head coach for three years.
                                                          "It's very tough to build relationships with coaches when you have three in three years," Dillard said. "You have trouble trusting the next coach, but everybody is really confident in the staff we have this year. We see a lot of improvement with the team. We don't have the won/loss record like we want, but we're focused."
                                                          On the bright side, this is the point a year ago when Rice got untracked, so Dillard knows it can happen again.

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                                                          IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa is dealing with more injuries and depending on younger players as the Hawkeyes get ready for Saturday's game at Northwestern.
                                                          So far this season, Iowa has played eleven true freshmen. Coach Kirk Ferentz says it's 1 of the positives because the coaching staff has seen improvements from all of them.
                                                          That includes running back Jevon Pugh, who scored the game-winning touchdown in last week's double overtime victory against Michigan State.
                                                          The latest injuries are linebacker Mike Klinkenborg and cornerback Adam Shada. Both were hurt in the Michigan State game and are doubtful against Northwestern.
                                                          Iowa is 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten.
                                                          Northwestern is 5-4, and needs one more victory to become bowl eligible. The Wildcats are 2-3 in the conference.
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                                                          Tenn O-Line Shuffle
                                                          Eric Young’s season-ending left quad injury against South Carolina has forced a shuffle in what has been a reliable offensive line.
                                                          Chris Scott, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound sophomore, moves from right guard to take Young’s place at left tackle. That’s considered the most vital spot on most offensive lines, because it protects the quarterback’s blind side.
                                                          "He’s practiced there for a while," coach Phillip Fulmer said. "That position isn’t foreign to him."
                                                          Jacques McClendon, who made a huge fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to keep the Vols’ game-tying drive alive, will earn his first start at right guard.
                                                          McClendon had opened some eyes in a backup role and was considered just about ready to start before Young’s injury. The line still boasts decent depth with guard Vladimir Richard and center Michael Frogg able to relieve tired starters and play at a decent level
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                                                          Home is Sweeter in 2007
                                                          Off to a 3-1 start at their new facility, there is no doubt that the Knights are enjoying Bright House Networks Stadium. UCF has totaled 169 points at the new on-campus venue so far this season - good for an average of 42.3 ppg. In 2006, the Knights played seven home contests at the Florida Citrus Bowl and scored a total of 143 points at the stadium.
                                                          Red Hot in the Red Zone
                                                          The UCF offense ranks third in the country when it comes to converting scoring chances in the red zone. The Knights have scored points on 34-of-36 trips, including 26 touchdowns, inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season. That is good for a percentage of 94.4. Only Georgia (SEC) and Virginia Tech (ACC) have better conversion rates, but those two squads have taken an average of 12.5 less trips into the red zone than the Knights. Georgia leads all teams with a 96.4 rate (27-of-28), while Virginia Tech is second with a 94.7 rate (18-of-19).
                                                          Eight is Enough
                                                          The UCF defense posted its second consecutive game with four turnovers in the 34-17 victory over Southern Miss. After going five games without forcing a turnover, the unit has eight turnovers during the two-game winning streak. Seven of those eight turnovers have come via interceptions. UCF has recorded 10 interceptions this season as eight different Knights have registered at least one pick on the year.
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                                                          HC Holtz said he hopes his players remember that feeling as they get ready for Memphis. ECU broke a three-game losing streak to Memphis last season at home, but the Pirates have lost in their last three trips to face the Tigers. Memphis (4-4, 3-1) has won three of its last four games, including its last two straight on the road.
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                                                          MiO INJURY UPDATE: Junior guard Dave DiFranco and senior running back Austin Sykes suffered ankle injuries against Vanderbilt that left them questionable for Saturday's game, Montgomery said.
                                                          Sophomore outside linebacker Caleb Bostic, who missed the Vanderbilt game with a hip injury he suffered in Miami's loss at Temple on Oct. 20, also is expected to miss Saturday's game.
                                                          Fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Kokal is expected to be available on an emergency basis after missing the last two games with a knee injury.
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                                                          MSU must play as close to a mistake-free game as possible when the Spartans host a surging Michigan team Saturday. Three of the last four games in the series have had margins of eight points or less, and the 2004 and 2005 games required overtime.
                                                          Michigan won all three.
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                                                          MN Golden Gophers team that is 1-8 and last in the nation in total defense
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                                                          And though it will be hard for any player to equal strong safety “Pig Brown” in any of No. 9 Missouri's four remaining games, it means new leaders need to emerge on an improving defense.
                                                          "Pig set a real high standard," said Del Howard, who will back up Justin Garrett at strong safety on Saturday against Colorado (5-4, 3-2). "We're all going to try and match his intensity on the field."
                                                          Howard is expecting to get the most significant playing time since playing in 12 games a year ago as a true freshman cornerback, when he made two interceptions. But Howard hasn't had trouble adjusting to a position he played while in high school in Dallas.
                                                          "You're the last line of defense so you've got to stay back," said Howard, who moved back to safety during spring practice. "You've got to watch everything."
                                                          A couple of weeks ago, Eberflus moved Kevin Rutland, a freshman from Houston, from cornerback to safety in order to shore up the depth and this week, Eberflus made a similar move when he moved Hardy Ricks to safety.
                                                          Ricks started eight games at cornerback as a true freshman last year and the first four games this year. But a shoulder injury suffered in preseason practice has slowed him some this year, and Carl Gettis has started all four Big 12 games.
                                                          Missouri coaches feel the shuffling of the depth chart since Brown's injury, suffered in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 42-28 win over Iowa State, will make up for his absence. The bigger question is how to replace Brown's role as a leader.
                                                          The Missouri defense was in a similar situation last year when all-time sack leader Brian Smith broke his hip in the eighth game against Kansas State. From that point, the Tigers (7-1, 3-1) struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stumbled to a 1-4 finish.
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                                                          HOLBROOK SAYS HE'LL PLAY AGAINST NEVADA: New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook declared himself "95 to 100 percent" and said he will be ready to play when the Aggies host Nevada.
                                                          The 6-foot-5 junior from Hurst, Texas, came out of the Aggies' game at Hawaii late Saturday night after getting hit in the head in the fourth quarter. Freshman J.J. McDermott replaced him.
                                                          "He took a shot to the jaw," coach Hal Mumme said during the Aggies' weekly teleconference.
                                                          Holbrook is one of the top passing quarterbacks in the nation. He ranks eighth in the country with 306.4 passing yards per game. He has completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
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                                                          Comment
                                                          • bearmz
                                                            SBR Sharp
                                                            • 10-17-07
                                                            • 320

                                                            #30
                                                            The Oklahoma State Cowboys are hoping an off week will mean the players are healthier for Saturday's game against 14th-ranked Texas.
                                                            Linebackers Jeremy Nethon and Patrick Lavine both left the Kansas State game with injuries while Chris Collins has been out with turf toe.
                                                            Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman says there is a chance the three will play and that former linebacker Rodrick Johnson is being moved from defensive end and will be ready if needed to play linebacker.
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                                                            Paterno's Nittany Lions (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) host Tiller's Boilermakers (7-2, 3-2) Saturday at noon in the final home game of the season in Beaver Stadium
                                                            In their last 21 home games dating to the end of the 2004 season, the Nittany Lions have lost only twice, last week to No. 1 Ohio State 37-17 and last season to No. 4 Michigan.
                                                            Purdue is 1-4-1 all-time at Happy Valley, including 1-4 since Penn State joined the Big Ten. The Boilermakers have gone 1-3 under coach Joe Tiller, winning 20-13 in 2004.
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                                                            The San Jose St Spartans have been unable to find an answer at tailback — starter Yonus Davis is out indefinitely with an ankle injury and backup Patrick Perry is out for the year — so they have relied on the poise and accuracy of quarterback Adam Tafralis (63.8 percent completion rate) and the playmaking of emerging wideouts Kevin Jurovich (52 catches, 13.4 yards per catch) and David Richmond (39, 15.2). Three true freshmen start on the offensive line. The Spartans have generated 344 yards of offense or more in each of the past five games
                                                            The Spartans possess three of the WAC's premier defensive players in cornerbacks Dwight Lowery and Chris Owens and linebacker Matt Castelo. Still, they rank 83rd in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 30.2 points per game. The defense's strength is its pass coverage, which has led to 15 interceptions, the second-most in the WAC. The weakness is the run defense, which has allowed 250 yards three times and 150 yards six times this year
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                                                            South Florida has been shaky on defense lately, as the unit has allowed 329 rushing yards with four passing touchdowns and only one interception and four sacks in the last two games. During their six-game winning streak, the Bulls yielded 106.3 rushing yards and gave up six TD passes with 12 picks and 20 sacks.
                                                            Offensively, Grothe has been subpar in the last two weeks, completing 51.6 percent of his passes for 436 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He went 16-for-30 with 189 yards and two picks against Connecticut, but rushed for 146 yards with a touchdown to become the second South Florida player to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a career.
                                                            Grothe hopes to rebound against a Cincinnati team he struggled against in his only career meeting, a 23-6 road loss on Oct. 22, 2006. He completed only 11 of 21 passes for 47 yards and an interception, while rushing for 22 yards on seven carries.
                                                            Cincinnati has won its last two meetings against ranked opponents with the last one coming on Oct. 6, when it beat then-No. 21 Rutgers 28-23 on the road. Cincy coming off a bye.
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                                                            The Stanford Cardinal do not expect to have either Anthony Kimble or Toby Gerhart back for Saturday's home game against Washington, and coach Jim Harbaugh said he will go with the same two tailbacks he used against Oregon State - freshman Jeremy Stewart and redshirt freshman Tyrone McGraw
                                                            Not good news for a team that turned in one of the worst statistical rushing performances in school history in the 23-6 loss to the Beavers.Stanford finished Saturday's loss to Oregon State with minus-8 yards rushing, tied for seventh worst in school history. Stewart ran seven times for 16 yards, McGraw four times for 8 yards.

                                                            Kimble, the team's leading rusher who will miss his third straight game, is still recovering from a shoulder injury. Harbaugh said the junior's range of motion and strength are improving, but offered no specific timetable for his return.
                                                            In addition to injuries to Kimble and Gerhart, the Cardinal lost senior running back Jason Evans for the season with a knee injury after a strong performance at Arizona on Oct. 20.
                                                            Washington, on the other hand, ranks 10th in the Pac-10, surrendering an average of 213.8 yards on the ground
                                                            Senior wide receiver Mark Bradford has been slowed by knee and quadriceps injuries, and Harbaugh said he will be talking with Bradford this week to see how they would like to proceed over the final four games of the season
                                                            Bradford, who has caught four passes for 35 yards in the last three games, has tendinitis in his left knee; the team wants to be cautious with his injury, but said Bradford could play Saturday
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                                                            Penn State and Temple will be meeting for the second consecutive year and 36th time overall. The Nittany Lions lead the series, 32-3-1, winning 47-0 last year in Beaver Stadium
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                                                            Based on recent history, the TAM Aggies had better brace for a huge dip. A&M is 3-10 in November in Franchione's previous four seasons
                                                            Since the 2003 season, the Aggies also are 2-8 overall against their final three opponents this season: No. 5 OU, No. 9 Missouri and No. 14 Texas.
                                                            The Aggies have played the Sooners tightly in their last three games — but playing OU snugly no longer is good enough for a fan base frustrated by four years of mediocrity.
                                                            "The last three games have been decided by a total of 14 points," Franchione said.
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                                                            It's been an up-and-down season for Texas running back Jamaal Charles. The same could be said for the No. 12 Longhorns, who entered the season as the fourth-ranked team in the country but got off to a dismal start in Big 12 play.
                                                            Both Charles and the Longhorns, however, appear to have rebounded from their midseason swoons. They'll go for their fourth straight win when they visit Oklahoma State on Saturday.
                                                            Charles ran for at least 100 yards in each of Texas' first three games - all victories - and averaged 133.0 yards per game in that stretch. In the next five games, however, he averaged just 64.6 yards.
                                                            The Longhorns (7-2, 3-2) lost twice while Charles struggled, dropping their Big 12 opener at home against Kansas State 41-21 on Sept. 29, and falling 28-21 to then-No. 10 Oklahoma the following week. Texas' first 0-2 start in conference play since 1956.
                                                            Texas has since rebounded with three straight victories, thanks in part to a career day from Charles last Saturday. Charles snapped out of his funk with 290 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries as the Longhorns overcame a 14-point, third-quarter deficit to take a 28-25 win over Nebraska.
                                                            Charles shattered his previous career high of 189 yards, and recorded the fourth-highest rushing total in Texas history. With 216 yards in the fourth quarter, Charles fell six short of the NCAA record for one period set by Washington's Corey Dillon in 1996.
                                                            The Longhorns are 8-0 when Charles reaches the century mark, including 4-0 this season.
                                                            The Cowboys (5-3, 3-1) will be their first opponent with a winning record since they lost to the Sooners on Oct. 6. Texas is 1-2 against teams that currently have winning records - its lone victory came 35-32 over Central Florida on Sept. 15.
                                                            The Cowboys, meanwhile, have had two weeks to prepare for the Longhorns after getting their third win in eight games against ranked teams under coach Mike Gundy.
                                                            On Oct. 20, they beat then-No. 25 Kansas State 41-39 on Jason Ricks' 26-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining. Oklahoma State improved to 4-0 at home, where it's averaging 42.8 points compared to just 26.3 on the road.
                                                            Dantrell Savage ran for 124 yards on 28 carries against Kansas State - his fifth straight 100-yard effort since returning from groin and abdomen injuries that kept him out of two of the Cowboys' first three games. He leads the Big 12 with 124.3 yards per game - 10th-most in the nation.
                                                            Charles is the only other back in the conference averaging more than 100.
                                                            "When he is up and running full speed we are a different team. If he is not full speed, then we are not the same offense."
                                                            Savage managed only six yards on four carries in Oklahoma State's 36-10 loss to Texas last Nov. 4 - his only career game against the Longhorns.
                                                            Charles had 67 yards on 21 carries in that game, and has a total of 87 yards on 28 carries in two career games against the Cowboys.
                                                            Texas has won nine straight in the series since Oklahoma State's 42-16 victory in Stillwater on Oct. 4, 1997. The Longhorns are 19-2 all-time against the Cowboys, with their only other loss a 13-8 home defeat on Nov. 11, 1944.
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                                                            Because the Texas Tech running game has been practically nonexistent this season, junior Shannon Woods is out and freshman Aaron Crawford will get another start at running back for the Red Raiders.
                                                            Woods, who played briefly -- with no rushing attempts -- Saturday against Colorado, has fallen so far out of favor with coach Mike Leach that he's been relegated to the scout team. The McKinney native leads Tech in rushing with 439 yards on 84 carries and eight touchdowns, but Leach no longer has confidence in him.
                                                            In the 31-26 loss to Colorado, Crawford had 31 yards on just two carries
                                                            It's not the first time Leach had to pull the reins on Woods, who entered spring practice as the team's No. 1 running back, but exited it in a two-man race with sophomore Kobey Lewis.
                                                            But Crawford has made a surprisingly successful jump over both Woods and Lewis and will make his second straight start Saturday at 2 p.m. against Baylor.
                                                            Leach admits he should have given him more touches, especially since Tech rushed just 12 times for 39 yards against the Buffaloes -- one week after rushing for minus-9 yards against Missouri
                                                            Before playing Missouri two weeks ago, Tech quarterback Graham Harrell had thrown just three interceptions in seven games. In losses to Missouri and Colorado the past two weeks, he's thrown eight.
                                                            Counting one interception earlier this season by backup quarterback Taylor Potts, the Red Raiders have thrown 12 interceptions this season. That's one more than all of last season.
                                                            However, by coach Mike Leach's estimation, only half of the interceptions Harrell threw the past two games were the quarterback's fault. The other half occurred when the ball caromed off the hands of Tech receivers.
                                                            "He's fine," Leach said of Harrell.
                                                            Biletnikoff list
                                                            Tech receiver Michael Crabtree was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver
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                                                            Tulane running back Matt Forte turned in his fourth consecutive 200-yard rushing game in a 28-27 loss to Tulane, rambling for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
                                                            He broke Tulane's single-season record of 1,421 yards set by current Minnesota Viking Mewelde Moore and has 1,539 yards on the year.
                                                            Only three players in Division I-A history have rushed for 200 yards or more in five straight games: USC's Marcus Allen (1981); Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (1988) and North Texas' Jamario Thomas (2004).
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                                                            Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins has returned from a midseason benching with a vengeance. The Hattiesburg native has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 661 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions in consecutive wins over Rice and Tulane.
                                                            Hankins threw the game-winning touchdown in both games, beating Rice on a 45-yard strike and topping Tulane with a 5-yard scoring toss with 39 seconds to play.
                                                            "He's been as sharp as I've ever seen him," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "He's playing with great confidence ... He looks fresh, and I think he's got tremendous confidence now and throwing to our people. The balls are coming out on time. He knows where they're going to be."
                                                            In six games, Hankins has thrown for 1,493 yards and 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He's completed 62.8 percent of his passes and is averaging 248.8 passing yards a game.
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                                                            UCF running back Kevin Smith became UCF's all-time leading rusher after piling up 175 yards and scoring twice on a school-record 43 carries in the Knights' 34-17 victory at Southern Miss. It was his seventh 100-yard effort in eight games.
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                                                            The Washington St Cougars (3-5, 1-4 Pac-10) are 3-1 against unranked teams heading into Saturday night's game at unranked California (5-3, 2-3).
                                                            The Bears were unbeaten and ranked No. 2 before losing their past three games to fall out of The Associated Press' Top 25 poll. Cal came in 27th in voting this week (UCLA was 26th last week).
                                                            Cal's defense has some leaks, but the Bears lost a 31-24 thriller to an explosive Oregon team that hammered WSU 53-7. California, a 21-3 winner last year in Pullman, has won 11 of its past 12 home games. The Cougars have lost their four road games this season by an average score of 48-13.
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                                                            Oregon State coach Mike Riley said star tailback Yvenson Bernard might be available.
                                                            "We got some good news as far as the MRI. He's got a sprained shoulder. It's not dislocated, so it's really going to be a day-to-day thing," Riley said. "It's pretty darn sore, I'll tell you that. I'm sure he will want to play. Right now, I would say it's just day-to-day and the news is pretty good from the reports that we go."
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                                                            Virginia Injury report
                                                            A flurry of players practiced for Virginia on Monday, which was not the case the week before.
                                                            Cornerback Chris Cook, fullback Rashawn Jackson, cornerback Mike Parker and tight end Tom Santi were active in the session, Groh said. Only Parker played against North Carolina State last weekend, but his playing time was limited to the opening quarter due to an ankle injury.
                                                            “Whether those players will be available on Saturday … we will still have to see,” Groh said, “but as opposed to standing on the sidelines, they worked.”
                                                            Santi suffered a high ankle sprain on the first play from scrimmage at Maryland, but Groh praised the senior captain for his work in the rehab process.
                                                            “The general rule of thumb on those is three weeks at a minimum,” Groh said. “He is doing more eight, nine or 10 days afterwards than most players who have gotten them are able to do.
                                                            “We are hoping to have him available, we are trying to work him into the mix, but as we did last week, we are making plans to progress without him as well.”
                                                            The news is not nearly as positive for injured tailback Cedric Peerman. The junior, who has missed the past three games with a foot injury, could miss the remainder of the season.
                                                            “I’d say that there is a chance of that, yes,” Groh said.
                                                            Peerman leads Virginia with 585 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Surgery to repair an injury that impedes Peerman’s ability to put weight comfortably on his leg remains a possibility.
                                                            Extra points …
                                                            Despite some improvement against N.C. State, Virginia ranks ninth in the ACC in kickoff returns, averaging 19.6 yards per return. Mikell Simpson, who has one return for 16 yards this season, may have earned himself another shot with his improved play the past two weeks. “We have him taking turns on those units again,” Groh said.
                                                            If Virginia thought N.C. State’s players were the fastest bunch the Cavs have faced this season, then wait until they get a load of the WF Deacons. With a roster dotted with Floridians, Wake has dramatically improved its team speed over the years.
                                                            UVa defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald said Tuesday that his teammates are going to have to be conscious of maintaining their position, staying in their lanes because Wake will “reverse field in a heartbeat,” in reference to the misdirection, end-arounds, and the like.
                                                            UVa cornerback Vic Hall is well aware of the speed that Wake brings to the table, particularly Moore, who caught 30 of his passes in two games. Even though Wake has thrown the ball less than any team in the ACC this season, Moore has nine more receptions than his nearest pursuer in the conference statistics.
                                                            “I think they have the most explosive offense that we have played so far because of the speed and the looks that they have in many formations,” Hall said. “We have to really hone in and focus on the different formations that they have.”
                                                            Freshman Josh Adams is one of those playmakers, ranked fourth in the ACC in rushing with 82 yards a game. Wide receiver Kenneth Moore, who played running back for the Deacs out of necessity last season, leads the ACC in receiving this year (60 catches, 656 yards, four TDs), and Kevin Marion, who happens to lead the nation in kickoff returns, is also a threat as a rusher or receiver.
                                                            Wake’s offense is averaging 30 points a game, good enough to make the No. 21-ranked Deacs (6-2) one of the hottest teams in the country. Wake Forest’s six-game winning streak is the seventh-longest active such string in the nation.
                                                            Kevin Marion, with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Saturday against North Carolina, leads the NCAA with an average of 38 yards per return. If that number holds, it will set an ACC record.
                                                            Riley Skinner is second in pass-completion percentage at 72.67. He trails only Graham Harrell of Texas Tech (72.80) and is on pace for an ACC mark.
                                                            With Marion's kickoff effort and Aaron Curry's return of an interception, Wake has scored nine non-offensive touchdowns this season. Since Florida State's entry into the league in 1992, no ACC team has produced more than 11 scores by return.
                                                            That helps explain why the Deacs are 6-2 while ranking 90th in total offense nationally. Of the bottom 43 teams in yardage per game, only nine have winning records.
                                                            Virginia, with a 7-2 mark and the nation's 101st-ranked offense, is one of the others.




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                                                            Virginia Tech will be without All-America linebacker Vince Hall (broken wrist) for at least one more game.
                                                            "He's got another week to go," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said of Hall, who was injured Oct. 6 at Clemson and has missed the last two games.
                                                            Center Ryan Shuman (high ankle sprain) will miss at least Thursday's game.
                                                            Redshirt freshman Beau Warren will make his first career start in place of Shuman.
                                                            Beamer said outside linebacker Cam Martin would return to the starting lineup against the Yellow Jackets. He missed a start last Thursday because of mononucleosis
                                                            Virginia Tech is 13-3 all-time in ESPN Thursday night games, 3-3 against Boston College and 10-0 against everybody else.
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                                                            Washington State coach Bill Doba admits he is "concerned some" that the Cougars don't have any commitments for their 2008 recruiting class??????????The Cougars are the only Pac-10 team without a commitment, according to recruiting Web sites
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                                                            Ohio State tight end Rory Nicol calls it disrespect. The last time Wisconsin came into Ohio Stadium, the Badgers left with a 24-13 victory.
                                                            ''The memory I have of Wisconsin is No. 1 them beating us and No. 2 them dancing on the Block O,'' Nicol said. ''They beat us though, at home, and I think that's the bitter taste that everybody's got in their mouth right now, that they've had success against us at home.''
                                                            ''Some people haven't been here since 2004, but I think they realize how big of a game this is,'' linebacker Marcus Freeman said. They need to know ''how we've lost the last three times to this team, and not many teams have done this to us. It's going to be a huge challenge to us.''
                                                            Wisconsin recovered from back-to-back road losses to Illinois (31-26) and Penn State (38-7) with two convincing home wins in Camp Randall Stadium, a 44-3 trouncing of Northern Illinois on Oct. 20 and a 33-3 thrashing of Indiana last week.
                                                            Although they recorded seven takeaways in the past two games, the Badgers have only 12 this season. Bielema also is hoping that featured running back P.J. Hill will be able to play after injuring his foot and missing the final three quarters against Indiana.























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                                                            Comment
                                                            • bearmz
                                                              SBR Sharp
                                                              • 10-17-07
                                                              • 320

                                                              #31
                                                              This time last week, Warren was a third-string center on Virginia Tech's football roster. But come Thursday night in Atlanta, the 19-year-old redshirt freshman will be anchoring the offensive line when the 11th-ranked Hokies face Georgia Tech in front of ESPN's national television cameras
                                                              Warren's first college start probably couldn't be a more complex assignment. In case you haven't heard, Georgia Tech's scheme under defensive coordinator John Tenuta calls for blitz after blitz, coming from all angles.
                                                              Quarterback question
                                                              Who will be taking snaps from Warren against Georgia Tech? Beamer said a decision as to whether Tyrod Taylor or Glennon will start wouldn't be made until late. Tuesday's workout was closed to the media.
                                                              "Tyrod was a little rusty throwing the ball [Monday], but his ankle, I think, is close to being back to full tilt," said Beamer of the freshman who has been sidelined since he suffered a high right ankle sprain at Duke 18 days ago.
                                                              Glennon had taken most of the first-team QB reps going into Tuesday's practice.
                                                              "Last week, I saw how Tyrod was practicing and I was saying, 'I don't think he can play,' " Glennon said. "This week, I see him being able to play. The only indication I might play is I'm not taking all the snaps with the 2s."
                                                              Comment
                                                              • bmac
                                                                SBR Wise Guy
                                                                • 09-11-06
                                                                • 513

                                                                #32
                                                                good stuff. thanks guys
                                                                Comment
                                                                • bearmz
                                                                  SBR Sharp
                                                                  • 10-17-07
                                                                  • 320

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Tennessee tailback LaMarcus Coker and defensive tackle Demonte Bolden will miss the game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday because of a violation of team rules.
                                                                  Bolden is a starter on the defensive line while Coker returns kicks and plays behind starter Arian Foster.Those guys are important to us, and hopefully we can have them back for Arkansas," coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday. He didn't elaborate on the violation.
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman calls this the toughest season of his life.
                                                                  "For so many reasons," he said. "More than most people could understand."
                                                                  He won the starting job in training camp, only to lose it by halftime of Week 2 at Oklahoma. The numbers tell the story; Freeman was 12-of-30 for 98 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his two starts.
                                                                  Depending on how Kyle Wright's sprained left ankle and left knee tendon heal in the next couple days, Freeman could be Miami's starter again Saturday when the Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host North Carolina State (3-5, 1-3).
                                                                  Wright was able to participate in most of practice Wednesday, but hardly sounded confident that he'd be ready in time for the weekend.
                                                                  "If I keep making strides the way I have the past two days, anything can happen," Wright said.
                                                                  And Freeman -- who struggled for two quarters after coming in when Wright got hurt late in the first half at Florida State -- put together a winning drive in the final moments as the Hurricanes stunned the Seminoles two weeks ago. He was 1-for-8 before the final drive, 3-for-3 with a touchdown on that march.
                                                                  Freeman prepares each week to be Miami's starter, and this week -- obviously -- is no different. He took over as the first-stringer late last year when Wright suffered a broken thumb, and wound up leading the Hurricanes to a win in the MPC Computers Bowl, taking MVP honors in that game.
                                                                  If he starts Saturday, it would likely be just a short-term deal.
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Ucla Update: Everett has aggravated his high ankle sprain and is probably out for the season, the LA Times reports.
                                                                  Recommendation: That could leave the Bruins without two of their top receivers this week, with Brandon Breazell questionable for this week
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  "Quarterback is huge that you stay healthy, because he's the guy that runs the show," Erickson said. "You better have a couple guys, but if you keep your first quarterback healthy, it makes a heck of a difference."
                                                                  When a starting quarterback gets hurt, it can affect the entire offense. Receivers have to develop timing with a new thrower. Linemen have to learn whether the replacement will stay in the pocket or take off at the first sign of pressure.
                                                                  At the same time, opponents can switch up coverages and blitzes, hoping to force a mistake. When a quarterback makes a mistake, it can be costly.
                                                                  "It's the most important position, that quarterback position," said Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, a former star quarterback at Michigan. "You spend a lot of time training that guy. Keeping him healthy, putting him in a position to be successful and make plays for your offensive unit. All those things are critical. That's a guy you don't want to lose."
                                                                  Carpenter, a junior, is second to Dixon in Pac-10 passing efficiency. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes against seven interceptions.
                                                                  If Carpenter can't play Saturday, the Sun Devils will turn to sophomore Danny Sullivan, who has completed 11-of-14 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in mop-up duty.
                                                                  "When you start getting into changing quarterbacks, it becomes -- I don't want to say a problem, but there's just not the continuity when you have that guy that's been there every day and has been your experienced leader," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said.
                                                                  California (5-3, 2-3) rose to No. 2 the week after an emotional victory at Oregon on Sept. 29. But starting quarterback Nate Longshore sprained his ankle in that game, and Cal hasn't won since.
                                                                  Longshore, still hobbling from the injury, has played in the last two games. Longshore has thrown five interceptions in those losses.
                                                                  UCLA (5-3, 4-1) was down to third-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson for most of a 20-6 loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 6 after starter Ben Olson went out with a knee injury; Patrick Cowan was already sidelined with a knee injury. Bethel-Thompson threw four interceptions against the Fighting Irish and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
                                                                  Cowan helped lead UCLA past California on Oct. 20 but was ineffective in a loss to last-place Washington State last week.
                                                                  The Ducks and the Sun Devils have yet to lose a game because of a quarterback injury. But ASU's luck may have taken a turn last week, when Carpenter sprained his thumb handing off to tailback Keegan Herring in a 31-20 victory over Cal.
                                                                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Wisc Update: SRB Hill was favoring his bruised leg considerably in practice on Tuesday, the Pierce County Herald reports.
                                                                  Recommendation: Hill is questionable for Saturday's game at Ohio State still. Even if he plays, look for him to share the carries with freshman Zach Brown
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  The AZ Wildcats need SQB Tuitama to keep it going against UCLA this week. He's had success against the Bruins; in 2005, Tuitama made his first home start against UCLA, which came in ranked seventh and unbeaten. Tuitama led the Wildcats to a 52-14 victory.

                                                                  Tuitama has put up big numbers this season, but he has also struggled, throwing only one touchdown pass in one three-week stretch.

                                                                  His 21 touchdown passes are a single-season school record, as are his 257 completions.
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  The CSU Rams were torched by Utah on Saturday for 322 rushing yards, with tailbacks Darrell Mack and Ray Stowers each eclipsing the 100-yard mark. The Rams have allowed five players to rush for 100 or more yards in five Mountain West Conference games, including a stunning 256-yard effort by Air Force's Chad Hall.
                                                                  Here's how bad things have gotten. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on Tuesday admitted his team had utilized the same running play 27 times against the Rams (1-7, 1-4 MWC). Yes, the formations changed, but the play - a simple dive by the tailback - did not.
                                                                  Unfortunately for the Rams, they are facing another massive problem. Saturday's foe - league-leading Brigham Young - has its own rugged running game featuring standout freshman halfback Harvey Unga. The Cougars, like Utah, will be more than happy to grind the Rams into submission on the ground if they don't prove they can do something about it.
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------






                                                                  .
                                                                  Comment
                                                                  • bigboydan
                                                                    SBR Aristocracy
                                                                    • 08-10-05
                                                                    • 55420

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Originally posted by bearmz
                                                                    [B]
                                                                    Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman calls this the toughest season of his life.
                                                                    "For so many reasons," he said. "More than most people could understand."
                                                                    He won the starting job in training camp, only to lose it by halftime of Week 2 at Oklahoma. The numbers tell the story; Freeman was 12-of-30 for 98 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his two starts.
                                                                    Depending on how Kyle Wright's sprained left ankle and left knee tendon heal in the next couple days, Freeman could be Miami's starter again Saturday when the Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host North Carolina State (3-5, 1-3).
                                                                    Wright was able to participate in most of practice Wednesday, but hardly sounded confident that he'd be ready in time for the weekend.
                                                                    "If I keep making strides the way I have the past two days, anything can happen," Wright said.
                                                                    And Freeman -- who struggled for two quarters after coming in when Wright got hurt late in the first half at Florida State -- put together a winning drive in the final moments as the Hurricanes stunned the Seminoles two weeks ago. He was 1-for-8 before the final drive, 3-for-3 with a touchdown on that march.
                                                                    Freeman prepares each week to be Miami's starter, and this week -- obviously -- is no different. He took over as the first-stringer late last year when Wright suffered a broken thumb, and wound up leading the Hurricanes to a win in the MPC Computers Bowl, taking MVP honors in that game.
                                                                    If he starts Saturday, it would likely be just a short-term deal.
                                                                    I'm waiting on this final report. So if you or anyone else hears anything please share it in this thread with me ASAP

                                                                    Thanks in advance
                                                                    Comment
                                                                    • bearmz
                                                                      SBR Sharp
                                                                      • 10-17-07
                                                                      • 320

                                                                      #35
                                                                      As if facing Georgia Tech's blitz-happy defense wasn't enough of a chore, the Hokies will battle in the trenches with a kid making his first college start.
                                                                      Beau Warren, an undersized redshirt freshman, will man the center spot of two-year starter Ryan Shuman, who is sidelined with a high right ankle sprain suffered a week ago.
                                                                      Not only will Warren have to block like he's never blocked before, but he also will in be in charge of calling many of the line's pre-snap blocking assignments.
                                                                      Talk about a tough opening act for a 19-year-old kid.
                                                                      Who will be taking snaps from Warren is another question yet to be answered. Beamer said Wednesday morning that he and his offensive coaches will decide at game time whether freshman Tyrod Taylor or redshirt junior Glennon will get the start tonight.
                                                                      From the talk Tuesday in Blacksburg, Taylor sounded like the man. From all accounts, the freshman has almost fully recovered from a high right ankle sprain he sustained Oct. 13 at Duke.
                                                                      A staple in most years, the Virginia Tech offensive line has been uncharacteristically bad, allowing more sacks than all but one ACC team and failing to create holes for RB Branden Ore.
                                                                      Both quarterbacks have liabilities. Glennon is slow, maybe too slow to escape the ruthless blitzes. Taylor struggles with reading defenses and may not be able to adjust his line's protection to account for a blitz coming from a certain side of the field
                                                                      While Taylor's mobility could counter Georgia Tech's pressure, if the Hokies fall behind and have to go into a full-bore aerial attack, Glennon would likely be sent into action.
                                                                      Beamer said the Yellow Jackets blitz more than any team Virginia Tech plays. This season, they have blitzed on 259 of 514 plays and on 112 of 140 first downs. They rank fourth nationally in sacks (29), seventh in total defense (287.9 yards per game) and eighth in rushing defense (87 yards per game
                                                                      The Virginia Tech quarterback is the X-factor in tonight’s game. If he is anywhere near full speed, his mobility presents a problem for the Georgia Tech defense. Sean Glennon, who started against BC, presents fewer problems
                                                                      Virginia Tech is not as potent as usual on offense, particularly running the ball, and the Hokies are off pace blocking kicks (they have one).
                                                                      But they've lost only to the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked teams (Boston College and LSU), and, as usual, are scoring other ways. The Hokies have scored on six returns — three interceptions, two punts, one kickoff.
                                                                      Senior wide receiver Eddie Royal, who has caught, thrown, run for, and returned punts for touchdowns in his career, leads the ACC by far in punt return average (18.5 yards), taking two back for scores.
                                                                      Georgia Tech's lone non-offensive score this season came when Darrell Robertson scored on a fumble recovery at Maryland.
                                                                      Last game: Sept, 30, 2006, Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.
                                                                      • Score: Georgia Tech 38, Virginia Tech 27
                                                                      • Stars of the game: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson caught five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Tashard Choice rushed for 105 yards and two scores.
                                                                      Stats that matter: Virginia Tech had not allowed a first-quarter touchdown in four previous games, but trailed 21-0 in the first quarter that day. The Jackets twice forced fumbles by Hokies quarterback Sean Glennon.
                                                                      Jackets coach Chan Gailey said the rest of his offense will have pick up the slack with Choice and Grant out. Georgia Tech's passing game ranks doesn't exactly scare folks to death. The Ramblin' Wreck has thrown a nation-low two TD passes. On the flip side, Georgia Tech has surrendered a nation-low three interceptions. Thus far, QB Taylor Bennett has been called on mostly to execute a short-yardage passing attack.
                                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      The Seminoles may not have had a lot of things fall their way so far this season. However, Florida State is getting healthier going into what will be the team's toughest stretch in the schedule.
                                                                      NG Budd Thacker returned from a dislocated toe, as well as a slight ankle injury last week and was productive against Duke. FSU also hopes to get senior DT Andre Fluellen back this week, who has missed two straight games and six consecutive starts.
                                                                      According to defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, Thacker and Fluellen are key components to a defensive front that wants to put pressure on Boston College QB Matt Ryan — a guy who has been tough to get to this season.
                                                                      "We got a lot of injured guys back that we haven't had in the previous games," Thacker said. "If we just get after it and stay fresh and get a good rotation going we should be all right."
                                                                      The linebacker corps also got a little healthier as LB Marcus Ball returned to practice this week. Ball, who missed most of last season after tearing his ACL, suffered a high ankle sprain against Wake Forest and is a valuable contributor who has missed the last two weeks.
                                                                      Offensively, LG Rodney Hudson returned to practice this week after a knee sprain sidelined the freshman for the team's last two games. Hudson wasn't sure Wednesday whether or not he would be back in the starting lineup.
                                                                      "I don't know, but it really doesn't matter," Hudson said. "I'll be ready to play though.
                                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      MiF Wednesday Practice Report
                                                                      Good news regarding QB Kyle Wright's injured ankle could be on the horizon. Coach Randy Shannon said that Wright was able to complete three-fourths of Wednesday's practice work and could have a chance to play this Saturday if his health continues to improve. Wright said he is still experiencing pain at times on his ankle and on his knee, but he will try his best to be ready for N.C. State.
                                                                      UM coach Randy Shannon said if the North Carolina State game had been played Wednesday that Kirby Freeman would have been his starting quarterback.
                                                                      But with a couple of days left before the noon kickoff Saturday, quarterback Kyle Wright is making strides and still hopes to play. Wright worked out mostly on his own Tuesday, but Shannon said Wright did 75 percent of the work in Wednesday's practice.
                                                                      ` Wright said he is pushing to get back.
                                                                      ''If I keep making progress like I have in the past couple of days, by Saturday it would definitely be a possibility [that I could play],'' Wright said.
                                                                      ``When I do different things my knee and my ankle will feel [pain] a little bit, but it's not near as bad as the last week has been. [The difference today] was just having a little more stability, and once I start to get a little more confidence and once I know it's starting to get better -- which I know it is -- that will help me out.''


                                                                      A year ago, the Canes created 21 turnovers in their 13-game season, but Shannon's group has already forced 20 turnovers in just eight games
                                                                      No team turns it over in the ACC like the Wolfpack, which is last in the league in turnover ratio, and comes to the Orange Bowl after losing eight fumbles and throwing 17 interceptions
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