Monday, October 20, 2014
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Taylor Kelly expected to start at QB for Arizona State
It doesn’t look like there will be a quarterback controversy brewing at Arizona State.
With starter Taylor Kelly out with a foot injury since Sept. 13, backup Mike Bercovici has performed admirably filling in for Kelly, but now it appears that Kelly will regain his starting role Saturday against Washington.
Kelly returned to practice Oct. 9 and Graham initially thought the senior would be able to return for the Sun Devils’ game against Stanford over the weekend, but during pregame warm-ups the decision was made to hold Kelly out.
“Hopefully we’ll have him ready where he can go this week,” ASU head coach Todd Graham said per the Arizona Republic. “He wanted to go last week, but we also have an obligation to make sure I don’t put the kids in jeopardy. If I was making the decision with my heart, I would’ve let him play, but he wasn’t ready. We’ll see how it progresses this week.”
Bercovici made his third consecutive start, throwing for 245 yards and a score against Stanford – a 26-10 Sun Devils win. Previously, the redshirt junior threw for 510 yards and five touchdowns in a win over USC and threw for 488 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to UCLA. Those are some eye-popping numbers from Bercovici, so decision to go with Kelly had to be somewhat difficult for the coaching staff.
Kelly, an all-Pac 12 selection last year, started 30 consecutive games for the Sun Devils before the injury. Graham said Kelly has been heavily involved in team activities the past few weeks while he continued his recovery.
"He's the most selfless player that I've ever been around,'' Graham said. "He's a winner. I just hated that he worked so hard and he's never going to get an opportunity to play in those last three games again."
Now ranked No. 14 in the country, the Sun Devils (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) is in a great position in a crowded Pac-12 south division. Though ASU is technically behind USC in the standings, its win over the Trojans earlier in the month means ASU holds a tiebreaker between the two schools.
The Sun Devils will face 5-2 Washington on the road Saturday night.
For more Arizona State news, visit ASUDevils.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 - Taylor Kelly expected to start at QB for Arizona State
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FSU coach Jimbo Fisher cuts media interview short after his reputation is questioned
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher cut an interview session with media Monday short after reporters starting asking about the off-field issues surrounding quarterback Jameis Winston.
Fisher, whose team is on a bye week, was speaking at the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club near Winston’s hometown. He was asked whether there was any news regarding the student code of conduct hearing and replied: "We're moving on with Louisville and talking about the other things. Everything should be great."
However, the questions didn’t stop there.
Another reporter noted that Fisher’s reputation had taken a hit and Fisher asked him to stop asking the question.
“I’m done,” Fisher said. “I’m done.”
Fisher then asked the reporter if he was going to put the interview on air and the reporter said he wasn’t, which caused Fisher to give one final answer.
"Why is my reputation taking a hit? For backing a kid who has done nothing wrong?" Fisher said. "I don't want to get into this. The questions weren't supposed to be asked today. I'm done. I'm done."
According to Jon Solomon of CBSSports.com, the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club told Fisher that there would be no questions about Winston’s off-field issues. Media members were never given those instructions.
To this point, Fisher has answered almost every Winston question that has come his way and he’s been a staunch defender of his Heisman-winning quarterback. But if he was told he was finally going to get a respite from those questions, it’s understandable that he’d be angry.
However, as long as Winston is on the Florida State roster, Fisher has to know those questions aren’t going to disappear.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.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 - FSU coach Jimbo Fisher cuts media interview short after his reputation is questioned
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Florida AD Jeremy Foley offers statement about coach Will Muschamp
Two days after Florida’s embarrassing 42-13 loss to Missouri at home, Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley is sticking with Will Muschamp as head coach.
For now.
Foley said Monday that he plans to will continue to evaluate the team’s performance and progress throughout the season before he makes a decision about Muschamp.
“At the beginning of the season we said we would evaluate the season as it plays out,” Foley said, per GatorZone.com. “We will continue to do so. Our sole focus right now is supporting our coaching staff and players as they prepare for Georgia.”
Florida committed six turnovers and gave up four return touchdowns in the loss, which dropped Muschamp’s overall record midway through his fourth season to 25-19 overall and 15-14 in the SEC.
The Gators, now 3-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play, are off this week. Muschamp’s job will not get any easier as the Gators prepare to play No. 9 Georgia in Jacksonville on Nov. 1. He said Sunday that he is “really worried about his football team” and “not concerned about things” he can’t control.
Fans have been clamoring for Muschamp’s removal since last year’s dismal 4-8 season, leading Foley to address his job status publicly on a number of occasions. Less than a year ago, Foley said he was “1,000 percent convinced” that Muschamp was the right man for the job, while in September Foley said they will evaluate things when “we get to the end of the season.”
It remains to be seen how this one will play out.
For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.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 - Florida AD Jeremy Foley offers statement about coach Will Muschamp
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How confident are you in Florida State?
Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino predicts the football team will upset Florida State
Florida State and Louisville don’t meet until Oct. 30, but Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino had no qualms about putting out his prediction early.
Rick Pitino: "I truly believe we will beat Florida State (in football) ... I haven't been this excited for a football game in a long time."
— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer_cj) October 20, 2014
Florida State is undefeated this season and Louisville’s two losses have come in ACC play against Clemson and Virginia.
If the game were being played this week, there might be a greater chance for an upset after Florida State’s emotional win against Notre Dame.
However, both teams have a bye this weekend as they prepare for the Thursday night pre-Halloween matchup.
Louisville’s defense has played well this season, but facing FSU quarterback Jameis Winston, who played lights out in the second half against Notre Dame, is a tough, tough test.
Still, you have to appreciate Pitino’s moxie and is support of the football program. Perhaps we’ll learn that Pitino really can predict the future.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.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 - Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino predicts the football team will upset Florida State
Results of North Carolina academic fraud investigation to be revealed Wednesday
More than eight months after the University of North Carolina retained former federal prosecutor Kenneth Wainstein to conduct an independent investigation into academic fraud, the school announced Monday that the Wainstein’s report would be released Wednesday.
According to the News & Observer , Wainstein will meet with the university’s board of trustees and board of governors at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. A notice of the meeting appeared on the school’s website Monday.
“Some portions of the meeting will take place in closed session, pursuant to North Carolina Open Meetings Law,” the notice said. “Following the special meeting, Mr. Wainstein will publicly present his findings during a press conference.”
Wainstein and a group of attorneys conducted interviews and reviewed records since February looking into a handful of classes offered over a period of years that often never met. Instead, students were told to write a paper and turn it in at the end of a semester. Past investigations revealed that “athlete enrollments in the classes were disproportionally high” and students enrolled in the classes often received high grades.
Wainstein told the UNC Board of Governors in June that his probe, which will not be shared with the school until it is completed, included reviewing academic records as far back as the 1980s.
UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt will discuss the report with students, staff and faculty at a town hall meeting Wednesday evening.
“The last few years have been difficult for our community,” Folt said in the town hall meeting announcement. “I believe the report will allow us to have a complete picture of what happened at Carolina and build on the numerous reforms we have already put in place.”
Additionally, as of June, the NCAA reopened its own investigation into academic fraud at the school – an investigation that previously ended in 2011.
“The NCAA has determined that additional people with information and others who were previously uncooperative might now be willing to speak with the enforcement staff,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement dated June 30, 2014. “Since 2011, the University had conducted and commissioned numerous reviews of this matter and provided the NCAA with updates.”
The NCAA’s previous investigation did not result in any violations.
For more North Carolina news, visit TarHeelIllustrated.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 - Results of North Carolina academic fraud investigation to be revealed Wednesday
Tennessee coach tries to trip Ole Miss DB Senquez Golson after interception (Video)
One Tennessee coach might be in a bit of trouble this week after video surfaced of him attempting to trip Ole Miss defensive back Senquez Golson following an interception in the third quarter.
Golson picked off the pass from quarterback Justin Worley and then ran out of bounds on the Tennessee sideline. As Golson tried to come back in bounds to celebrate with teammates, the unidentified coach clearly stuck out his leg in an attempt to trip him.
Luckily, the coach missed and Golson wasn’t injured, but this is some terrible sportsmanship right here. Ole Miss won the game 34-3 and Tennessee had four turnovers, including three interceptions.
Neither the SEC nor the schools involved have commented on this matter.
Thanks to Saturday Down South
For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.
For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.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 - Tennessee coach tries to trip Ole Miss DB Senquez Golson after interception (Video)
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Report: Jameis Winston to declare for NFL draft following this season
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston will leave school after this season.
According to a report by CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora, Winston was originally torn about whether to stay another year, but due to several off-field issues in the past few weeks, he has decided it’s best to move on.
Now, however, in the face of the multiple investigations into him, and what has become an adversarial relationship with school officials (excluding coach Jimbo Fisher and key members of the athletic department) it is virtually certain Winston is declaring no matter what happens in the second half of the season.
La Canfora said there have been several rumors that Winston would drop out of school because of his pending student code of conduct hearing and allegations he was paid for signing memorabilia, but La Canfora said that’s not likely to happen.
Some have suggested that Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston might drop out of school as a way to avoid the institution's investigation into prior sexual assault charges brought against him, as well as an inquiry into whether he violated NCAA rules for being compensated for autographs, but several sources close to him said that is in no way a consideration.
Winston intends to fight vigilantly to maintain his innocence in both instances.
While La Canfora cites “sources” on his story, this decision has to be a no-brainer for Winston. There are too many off-field things going on around him to stay at Florida State another year. There would be no athletic benefit to him. In fact, staying might even decrease his draft stock.
And right now, Winston is probably in the best athletic place — at least in terms of public perception — he’s been all season following a come-from-behind win against Notre Dame last weekend. That was the biggest win for the Seminoles this year and they now have nothing but smooth waters toward another undefeated campaign and a place in the College Football Playoff.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.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 - Report: Jameis Winston to declare for NFL draft following this season
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Les Miles trolls a reporter after being asked about his 2015 QB situation (Video)
LSU has had trouble with quarterback consistency this season.
Coach Les Miles has been shuffling between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris, and while both have had their moments, none has been able to totally seize the job.
So, predictably, Miles was asked following the Tigers 41-3 win against Kentucky whether he was already thinking about who would start at QB in 2015.
And Miles gave the most Miles-esque answer ever.
WARNING: Language NSFW.
While most coaches would have yelled, given that annoyed look or simply ignored the question, Miles did what Miles does best and made his answer into yet another quip for the Les Miles library.
Well played, Les. Well played.
For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.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 - Les Miles trolls a reporter after being asked about his 2015 QB situation (Video)
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Clemson leading rusher Adam Choice out for season
Clemson will be without its leading rusher for the rest of the season.
Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said in his Sunday teleconference that freshman running back Adam Choice tore his ACL Saturday afternoon against Boston College. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Choice went down on the team’s second offensive possession of the game when running a play out of the wildcat formation.
“I just hate it for Adam,” Swinney said, per TigerIllustrated.com. “He was just starting to hit his stride. He’ll bounce back. It’s a big loss for us.”
The Tigers have largely used a running back by committee approach this season, but Choice emerged lately as the team’s main ball carrier. Overall, Choice, a four-star recruit in 2014 class, gained 218 yards on 50 carries while scoring one touchdown.
While losing Choice is bad news, the Tigers received some good news about injured redshirt freshman Tyshon Dye. Dye has been rehabbing an Achilles injury and Swinney said Sunday that he could receive his first carries Saturday.
“It’s fortunate for us that Tyshon is working his way back,” Swinney said. “He looked good in practice last week. We limited him last week. This week we’re going to cut him loose. He’s in good shape.”
Now ranked No. 21 in the country after beating Boston College 17-13, the 5-2 Tigers face Syracuse at home Saturday.
For more Clemson news, visit TigerIllustrated.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 - Clemson leading rusher Adam Choice out for season
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A. Manning takes leave from CFB playoff panel
Archie Manning to take leave of absence from College Football Playoff selection committee
Archie Manning will take a leave of absence from the College Football Playoff executive committee due to health issues.
Bill Hancock, the College Football Playoff’s executive director, announced Monday that Manning’s leave of absence would span the rest of the 2014 season, but Manning will return for the 2015 season.
“We will miss Archie,” Hancock said. “He has such a great knowledge of college football and history with the game, but we all understand his reason for taking a leave. I wish him all the best and look forward to his return in 2015.”
Manning, the former Ole Miss quarterback, will undergo surgery next month to “help relieve discomfort he is experiencing walking and moving around,” according to a release from the CFP. Because of the surgery, Manning would be unable to travel and attend meetings.
“It is an honor to serve on this committee, and I enjoy the group and was looking forward to the opportunity ahead. My health had to be my primary concern and I intend to be up and about as soon as possible,” Manning said.
In Manning’s absence, the committee will drop from 13 to 12 members for the rest of the season. The committee has been meeting since November 2013 and will unveil its first rankings on Tuesday, October 28. Additionally, the committee will unveil Top 25 rankings five more times before the final four teams are revealed on December 7.
The committee is chaired by Arkansas athletic director and also includes Barry Alvarez, Mike Gould, Pat Haden, Tom Jernstedt, Oliver Luck, Tom Osborne, Dan Radakovich, Condoleezza Rice, Mike Tranghese, Steve Wieberg and Tyrone Willingham.
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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 - Archie Manning to take leave of absence from College Football Playoff selection committee