Thursday, September 18, 2014
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Scholarship plaintiffs fight NCAA's dismissal try
Auburn Holds Off Kansas State
Kansas State's mistakes help Auburn escape with a win
Kansas State has only itself to blame.
Hosting the highest ranked nonconference opponent since 1969, the Wildcats had a golden opportunity to knock off Auburn, the national championship runner-up, and couldn’t get out of their own way.
The Wildcats left 10 points on the field in the first quarter by throwing an interception in the end zone and missing a field goal. It gifted Auburn a field goal by fumbling the ball at their own 21-yard line.
The Wildcats went on to throw an interception that Auburn turned into points, miss two other field goals, including one from 22 yards out in the third quarter, and Auburn ultimately escaped with a 20-14 win.
It shouldn’t have gone that way. The Kansas State defense played about as well as a defense could play to keep the high-power Auburn offense at bay and give the Wildcats the upset. But the defense could only do so much after the offense continued to come up empty.
By the time the Kansas State offense really got rolling, there were less than 4 minutes remaining in the game and by that point, it was too late. Auburn converted first downs, including a 39-yard pass from quarterback Nick Marshall to D’haquille Williams to seal the victory.
“We knew it was going to be tough, I’m glad it was tough,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said after the game. “That will help us in the long run. We faced a lot of adversity and even though we faced a lot of adversity a year ago, we’re a new team this year.”
Last year Auburn was known for some of its miracle victories and one could say this falls into that category. Marshall was not great. He missed several open receivers during key moments in the first half, but when the offense needed him, he made the plays.
Defensively, the Auburn defense held Kansas State to just 40 yards rushing. It bottled up quarterback Jake Waters and, after the first half, put the clamps on star receiver Tyler Lockett.
It’s difficult to say if there’s anything future opponents of either one of these teams can glean from this contest. However, Auburn’s struggles in this game, especially offensively, should provide a bit of hope for the rest of the SEC.
As for Kansas State, this was its big moment, its was chance to sit among the big boys again. This is going to be a tough game to get over, but Kansas State still has the ability to be a player in the Big 12. However, it will need to be more consistent on offense if it wants to do so.
For more Kansas State news, visit GoPowerCat.com.
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Kansas State's mistakes help Auburn escape with a win
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UCLA coach Jim Mora is being coy about his quarterback situation
UCLA opens its Pac-12 play against Arizona State next weekend and coach Jim Mora is already being coy with his information.
Quarterback Brett Hundley left last weekend’s game against Texas with an elbow injury, but UCLA has been stingy with the details of that injury and what Hundley’s status would be for the game against the Sun Devils.
“They work every day with our incredible medical staff to get back out there as quick as they can and when they’re ready to go they put them back out there and they go. So, that’s about it,” Mora said when asked about his injured players.
Mora was even coy about his backup quarterback.
After Hundley was injured in the first quarter, Jerry Neuheisel stepped in admirably and led the Bruins to a 20-17 win. He even threw a game-winning touchdown pass and was carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates. Still, Mora wouldn’t commit to anything.
“Just because Jerry went into that game doesn’t mean he’s our backup quarterback. We’ve never determined who’s No. 2, 3, 4. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys. Next time it could be (redshirt freshman) Asiantii (Woulard). Heck, Asiantii could start the Arizona State game, who knows?"
When asked if UCLA needed someone other than Hundley to start the game, Mora replied: “We might. You never know.”
Arizona State already announced that starting quarterback Taylor Kelly would miss the game because of a foot injury. Mora said his team would prepare for Arizona State’s scheme more than new starting quarterback Mike Bercovici.
Guess Arizona State is going to do the same.
For more UCLA news, visit BruinSportsReport.com.
For more Arizona State news, visit ASUDevils.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - UCLA coach Jim Mora is being coy about his quarterback situation
UCLA quarterback Jim Mora is beigncoy about his quarterback situation
UCLA opens its Pac-12 play against Arizona State next weekend and coach Jim Mora is already being coy with his information.
Quarterback Brett Hundley left last weekend’s game against Texas with an elbow injury, but UCLA has been stingy with the details of that injury and what Hundley’s status would be for the game against the Sun Devils.
“They work every day with our incredible medical staff to get back out there as quick as they can and when they’re ready to go they put them back out there and they go. So, that’s about it,” Mora said when asked about his injured players.
Mora was even coy about his backup quarterback.
After Hundley was injured in the first quarter, Jerry Neuheisel stepped in admirably and led the Bruins to a 20-17 win. He even threw a game-winning touchdown pass and was carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates. Still, Mora wouldn’t commit to anything.
“Just because Jerry went into that game doesn’t mean he’s our backup quarterback. We’ve never determined who’s No. 2, 3, 4. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys. Next time it could be (redshirt freshman) Asiantii (Woulard). Heck, Asiantii could start the Arizona State game, who knows?"
When asked if UCLA needed someone other than Hundley to start the game, Mora replied: “We might. You never know.”
Arizona State already announced that starting quarterback Taylor Kelly would miss the game because of a foot injury. Mora said his team would prepare for Arizona State’s scheme more than new starting quarterback Mike Bercovici.
Guess Arizona State is going to do the same.
For more UCLA news, visit BruinSportsReport.com.
For more Arizona State news, visit ASUDevils.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - UCLA quarterback Jim Mora is beigncoy about his quarterback situation
Texas Tech announces resignation of defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt
Hours after multiple outlets reported that Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt had been fired, the program announced that Wallerstedt has resigned due to “personal reasons.”
"I have submitted my resignation to Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury effective immediately because I want the best for the Red Raider program, and this will allow them to go in a different direction on defense," Wallerstedt said in a statement. "I love our players and this school and have only their best interest in my heart and mind. I wish Coach Kingsbury every success this season."
Wallerstedt joined the TTU staff as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2013 after previous stints coaching at Texas A&M, Air Force, Kansas State, Akron and others. His defense had struggled through the first three games of the 2014 season. Last Saturday, the Red Raiders gave up 438 rushing yards in a 49-28 home loss to Arkansas. Overall, the Red Raiders ranked 94th in the country in total defense.
“We appreciate all Coach Wallerstedt has done at Texas Tech and we wish him the best,” Kingsbury said.
According to RedRaiderSports.com’s Matt Clare, Wallerstedt and the program parting ways was “not due to on-field performance,” while ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter reported that Wallerstedt “was suspected of being at the school’s football building while under the influence of an unknown substance.”
With Wallerstedt out of the picture, the school announced that Mike Smith, formerly the team’s co-defensive coordinator, would now lead the defense. Smith, a TTU alum, played two seasons in the NFL and was an assistant with the New York Jets and at the University of Hawaii before returning to Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have a bye this week but will return to the field on the road against Oklahoma State on September 25.
For more Texas Tech news, visit RedRaiderSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Texas Tech announces resignation of defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt
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One Cincinnati player arrested, three others cited after weekend incident
Several Cincinnati football players have been disciplined by head coach Tommy Tuberville stemming from an incident at an off-campus party where gunshots were fired over the weekend.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, “one player was arrested, a second was cited and two others were found with outstanding warrants.”
“Over the weekend, four members of the University of Cincinnati football program were involved in an unfortunate incident that resulted in one arrest and three citations,” Tuberville said in a statement. “We have higher expectations of everyone within our football program and there will be consequences for those actions.”
True freshman cornerback Alex Thomas, 18, was arrested and charged with obstruction when he fled upon the officers’ arrival. The police report said Thomas was apprehended “a block away after a foot chase.” Tuberville announced that Thomas, a two-star recruit from Hollywood, Fla., will miss “at least four games and possibly more” and won’t “be eligible to participate in a game” until his legal issues are resolved. He has a court date scheduled for Oct. 14.
In addition to Thomas, starting running back Hosey Williams, 23, starting defensive back Leviticus Payne, 20, and backup linebacker Ey’Shawn McClain, 21, were also involved in the incident.
Williams was cited for disorderly conduct while intoxicated and Payne and McClain each had “outstanding warrants for minor drug crimes.” Tuberville said that McClain, Payne, and Williams “have been disciplined” and are still on the Bearcats’ active roster.
Per the Enquirer, Williams’ citation indicates that he “refused to tell police where he attends school.” He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 25.
McClain and Payne failed to appear in court or pay $130 fines after being cited Feb. 8 with misdemeanor marijuana possession. Both have new court dates set for Sept. 26.
“This kind of behavior is not acceptable and not indicative of the UC football program,” Tuberville said. “Moving forward, we will continue to educate our players on making good decisions and being great representatives of the University.”
Williams, a senior, led Cincy with 655 rushing yards last year. His 2014 campaign got off to a good start when he ran for 103 yards in the Bearcats’ win over 58-34 last Friday.
Payne, a junior, has appeared in 27 games in his career. He has notched 32 total tackles and one interception. McClain and Thomas haven’t seen any action in their careers.
The 1-0 Bearcats will play Miami (Ohio) at home Saturday night.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - One Cincinnati player arrested, three others cited after weekend incident
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BYU to retire Jim McMahon's jersey on October 2
Jim McMahon will become the sixth BYU player to have his jersey retired.
The school announced that it would retire McMahon's No. 9 on October 2 at haftime of its game against Utah State.
With McMahon at quarterback, BYU won its first-ever bowl game, a 46-45 win over SMU in the 1980 Holiday Bowl. The Cougars scored three touchdowns in the final 2:33 of the game to take the lead.
When McMahon left BYU, he held 70 NCAA records. He threw for 9,536 yards in his career, which was long before an era where monster passing stats were the norm. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
“I love the example Jim has set by completing his degree. I’m proud of him for finishing after all these years,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. “Jim is one of the elite college quarterbacks of all time. He loved the game of football and always played the game like he was having fun. He was a great leader and a great teammate. I know there are a lot of people all over the country who are excited for Jim to be formally recognized as one of the Cougar greats.”
McMahon, 55, who suffers from headaches, dementia and said in 2010 that his memory is "pretty much gone" because of head injuries suffered while playing football, recently completed the requirements to get his degree from BYU.
"A big weight has been lifted off my shoulders," McMahon told the Deseret News. "I got real tired of studying. I think I studied more in the last eight months than I did in the five years of school that I went there.
"I'm glad it's over with. It's taken me 37 years, but I got it done."
He's undecided about walking during the commencement ceremony to get his degree. If he does, he'll get a warm ovation.
McMahon was chosen by the Chicago Bears with the No. 5 pick in the 1982 NFL draft. He helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl XX win over the New England Patriots.
McMahon will have his name and jersey number on a banner on the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium hung during the halftime ceremony on October 2. He'll join Eldon Fortie, Marion Probert, Steve Young, Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer as the only Cougar players to have their jerseys retired.
For more BYU news, visit CougarNation.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - BYU to retire Jim McMahon's jersey on October 2
NCAA starts search to fill new executive vice president role
When NCAA Chief Operating Officer Jim Isch revealed in August that he would retire in early 2015, President Mark Emmert announced a “reorganization” of the association’s senior staff. With that reorganization came the introduction of a new position – executive vice president – and a national search began Thursday to fill the new executive vice president role.
According to the NCAA, the executive vice president will “for the first time bring all NCAA national office regulatory functions – Academic and Membership Affairs, the Eligibility Center and Enforcement – under one umbrella.”
Emmert said he is seeking a “decisive, collaborative, and respected senior leader with significant campus and membership experience” to fill the role.
A search committee, headed by Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Mark Lewis, NCAA executive vice president of championships and alliances, is made up of nine members.
Those members include: NCAA vice president of Division I David Berst, Arizona vice president for athletics Greg Byrne, Cornell College (Iowa) athletic director John Cochrane, Patriot League commissioner Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, UTSA athletic director Lynn Hickey, Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and Palm Beach Atlantic athletic director Carolyn Stone.
Emmert hopes to have a hire in place by the end of October so that the new executive VP can “assist with the transition of the new Division I governance structure.”
Executive search firm Korn Ferry will also assist with the hiring process.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - NCAA starts search to fill new executive vice president role
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Rep. Paul Ryan wore a purple and gold tie because of LSU's win over Wisconsin (Photo)
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) had to pay up on a bet on Wisconsin's first game of the season.
The former Republican Vice Presidential candidate had a bet with Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on the game between Wisconsin and LSU in week one. Wisconsin squandered a second half lead against the Tigers and lost 28-24. So Ryan wore a purple and gold tie and signed an LSU helmet.
(We're going to refrain from a joke about how Ryan likes red ties for more than one reason.)
Had Wisconsin won, Cassidy would have had to wear a red tie.
While we like the betting on college football, why wasn't there any food involved? A barter of some Wisconsin cheese and some New Orleans beignets would have been a fantastic bet.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Rep. Paul Ryan wore a purple and gold tie because of LSU's win over Wisconsin (Photo)
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UNC coach Larry Fedora says Shane Carden is 'pretty special'
It's an oversimplification, but if North Carolina wants to contain East Carolina QB Shane Carden on Saturday, the Tar Heel defense will need to force turnovers.
During last week's upset of Virginia Tech, Carden threw three touchdowns and didn't toss an interception. He didn't throw a pick in the Pirates' week one game against North Carolina Central. Not coincidentally, when the Pirates lost to South Carolina in week two, Carden tossed two interceptions.
"This guy, I think he's pretty special," North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said Wednesday. "I think he's very, very comfortable in the system, and you go back all the years that Mike (Leach) was at Texas Tech and you watched all of the quarterbacks that came through, the older they got, the more efficient they were, the much better the offense was, and Carden has done the same thing. He's really a good, good football player, he really is, and he understands the system fully. He can run it at top-notch speed and be very comfortable. He's got a lot of confidence in his receivers because he's got really good receivers. He knows where they're going to be, and therefore they're able to make a lot of plays and they're very explosive"
2014 is Carden's third year starting for ECU, a team coached by former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeil. The offensive coordinator is Lincoln Riley, a former Tech assistant who has adapted the air-raid offense to fit Carden and ECU. In 2013, Carden threw for 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Last season, ECU went to North Carolina and won handily, 55-31. Couple that victory with the win over Virginia Tech, and East Carolina is a two-point favorite over the Tar Heels. While the game between the Carolinas may not be a traditional or in-conference rivalry, the conference alignments make it easy to frame the game as a battle of big vs. little brother.
"Well, I don't think our guys have to be convinced that it's going to be intense," Fedora said. "I think they understand that. I think we're the underdogs going into this game from my understanding, from what I hear about everything. You know, we're going to go into a place that's going to be sold out, hostile crowd."
While Fedora is in his third season at North Carolina, he's more familiar with East Carolina than most because of his time at Southern Miss. The Eagles and Pirates were both in Conference-USA when Fedora was there. While Carden and the East Carolina offense may be good, Fedora has noticed the defense. Against Virginia Tech it was a defense that picked up an offense that went more than 45 minutes between touchdowns.
"Defensively I think they're much, much improved," Fedora said. "I think they're much better than they've been since I've started playing them, which now this will be about seven years now, and I think they've done a great job on the defensive side of the ball. I think that's the kind of hidden thing that people don't realize is they're doing a great job of stopping the run. Nobody has really run the ball effectively on them, and it's made teams try to be more one-dimensional"
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - UNC coach Larry Fedora says Shane Carden is 'pretty special'
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Auburn S Jermaine Whitehead does not travel to Kansas State
Auburn S Jermaine Whitehead won't be playing Thursday night against Kansas State.
Whitehead did not make the trip to Manhattan, Kan. AuburnSports.com reported that Whitehead did not board the buses for the "Reverse Tiger Walk" Auburn takes for road games.
Whitehead is a three-year starter at safety for Auburn. Auburn Sports reports that he missed a grand total of four plays last season. Last season he was fourth on the team in tackles with 65. Through two games this season he has 12 tackles and a team-leading two interceptions.
Joshua Holsey, who suffered a knee injury last season, could be Whitehead's replacement. He's been working as a CB this season. Kansas State QB Jake Waters has emerged through two games this season as a dual-threat QB.
"He's had two really good games," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said following the Tigers' win against San Jose State (via AL.com). "He's obviously the old man back there who can keep things settled down, and he's got to be 100 percent for us. We've got young safeties playing beside him who need help every now and then.
For more Auburn news visit AuburnSports.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Auburn S Jermaine Whitehead does not travel to Kansas State