The Tennessee defensive end, who dealt with a variety of injuries last season and throughout spring practice, thanked friends and family for prayers in messages sent out early in the evening via his Twitter and Facebook account.
He later added it was “just a scope,” or arthroscopic surgery.
A source with knowledge of the procedure added that the procedure was to remove loose cartilage from his knee and that Walker will be on his feet this week and participate in preseason camp later this summer.
The knee had been an issue during spring practice and doctors decided to address it to make sure it won’t be a factor this season.
A bad back slowed him last season, but Walker still led the Vols with six sacks, tied for the team lead with two interceptions and finished second on the team with 8 ½ tackles for a loss.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
SEC continues dominance of major national championships
South Carolina's national title in baseball Tuesday gives the SEC exactly half of the national championships over the past five years in the four major sports -- football, baseball, men's basketball and women's basketball.
The SEC has gone 10-1 in national championship games in those sports since 2006, with only Georgia baseball losing to Fresno State in 2008. If you're keeping score at home, that's national titles for Alabama football, Florida football (twice), LSU football, Florida men's basketball (twice), Tennessee women's basketball (twice), LSU baseball and South Carolina baseball. The ACC has the next-most collection of titles in the big four sports over the past five years, with three.
The SEC has gone 10-1 in national championship games in those sports since 2006, with only Georgia baseball losing to Fresno State in 2008. If you're keeping score at home, that's national titles for Alabama football, Florida football (twice), LSU football, Florida men's basketball (twice), Tennessee women's basketball (twice), LSU baseball and South Carolina baseball. The ACC has the next-most collection of titles in the big four sports over the past five years, with three.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Arkansas' QB Mallett ‘doing good’ in recovery
Ryan Mallett has learned to shorten his stride and be more accurate with his throws while he recovers from a second surgery on his foot, but how is the actual recovery from surgery coming along?
Mallett is “doing good,” says Coach Bobby Petrino through the Arkansas media relations department today.
No further explanation was given and plenty of questions remain unanswered. Is Mallett back to throwing? Is he off the crutches? Is he still in a cast or a protective boot? Is he walking freely without the assistance of medical equipment?
The record-setting quarterback underwent a second surgery, this one to replace a screw in his foot , on June 9 and was expected to be off his feet for two weeks. That time frame has come and gone.
Mallett is “doing good,” says Coach Bobby Petrino through the Arkansas media relations department today.
No further explanation was given and plenty of questions remain unanswered. Is Mallett back to throwing? Is he off the crutches? Is he still in a cast or a protective boot? Is he walking freely without the assistance of medical equipment?
The record-setting quarterback underwent a second surgery, this one to replace a screw in his foot , on June 9 and was expected to be off his feet for two weeks. That time frame has come and gone.
Urban Meyer confident with QB Brantley...Where does the Football World see UF...Tebowless
During Urban Meyer's sabbatical following the end of spring practice, de facto head coach Steve Addazio sang the praises of Brantley, saying, among other things, that the quarterback's teammates "have tremendous confidence in him." So, it should come as no surprise that Meyer, "back" in total charge of his football program, is pumping up a player who is unquestionably long on talent but very short on Div. 1-A experience.
Speaking to 1070 the Fan in Indianapolis by way of SportsRadioInterviews.com, Meyer used a question about Tebow's departure to, as should be expected, espouse the virtues of Brantley. And how that will relate to the blessing of being the hunter instead of the hunted.
"Well I miss Tim," Meyer said. "I speak to him about once a week. Obviously our relationship is as close as I've ever had with a player.
"We've got a guy named John Brantley, who's a tremendous talent, he's a different style of player, he's more of the Chris Leak mold from 2006 when he was our quarterback.
"Very good young team around him. It's maybe not a team of superstars, but it's a team with some very, very good players that I can feel has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, which is great to coach a team that has a chip as opposed to being the targeted one all the time. So it's a little different this year, but we have good players."
A little later in the interview, Meyer once again brought the discussion back to Brantley and the confidence the program has in him.
"I think he'll be one of the best throwers," Meyer said. "The leadership, the toughness and all those things are all to be determined. But what he's shown so far in practice and in spring ball, and from what I hear he's doing this summer, he's going to be a really, really good player for us."
Speaking to 1070 the Fan in Indianapolis by way of SportsRadioInterviews.com, Meyer used a question about Tebow's departure to, as should be expected, espouse the virtues of Brantley. And how that will relate to the blessing of being the hunter instead of the hunted.
"Well I miss Tim," Meyer said. "I speak to him about once a week. Obviously our relationship is as close as I've ever had with a player.
"We've got a guy named John Brantley, who's a tremendous talent, he's a different style of player, he's more of the Chris Leak mold from 2006 when he was our quarterback.
"Very good young team around him. It's maybe not a team of superstars, but it's a team with some very, very good players that I can feel has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, which is great to coach a team that has a chip as opposed to being the targeted one all the time. So it's a little different this year, but we have good players."
A little later in the interview, Meyer once again brought the discussion back to Brantley and the confidence the program has in him.
"I think he'll be one of the best throwers," Meyer said. "The leadership, the toughness and all those things are all to be determined. But what he's shown so far in practice and in spring ball, and from what I hear he's doing this summer, he's going to be a really, really good player for us."
Monday, June 28, 2010
More Preseason First Team All-SEC Honors For Ole Miss... Powe
Ole Miss' Jerrell Powe could be in line for an award-winning senior season after piling up the hardware this preseason, most recently first team All-SEC billing from both the Sporting News and Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook.Powe, a defensive tackle, also earned preseason first team All-SEC accolades from the Birmingham News while grabbing All-America honors from four other media outlets. He has been named to watch lists for some of college football's top awards, including the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award.
A starter in 10 games last season, Powe helped lead a Rebel defense that topped the SEC and rank 11th nationally in TFLs and 14th in sacks. Ole Miss held the opposition under 300 yards of total offense seven times, including five SEC games, and ranked 15th in the nation in scoring defense.
Powe earned second Team All-SEC accolades and tied for eighth in the conference and the team lead in TFLs with 12.0. The Waynesboro, Miss., native also totaled 34 tackles, three sacks, two pressures and a forced fumble.
Powe will join fellow defensive lineman Kentrell Lockett, offensive tackle Bradley Sowell and head coach Houston Nutt in representing Ole Miss at the SEC Football Media Days. The Rebels' session is July 23.
Vols WR Campbell leaving Knoxville
Todd Campbell has decided to leave the football program, The Tennessean is reporting.
The wide receiver's father told the paper that his son has made the decision to transfer, although there's no word on where he will land. A school spokesman confirmed to the Knoxville News Sentinel that Campbell has left the program.
Campbell played a portion of his high school career in the state of Kentucky, and was recruited by then-UK offensive coordinator Joker Phillips; as Phillips is now the Wildcats head coach, Lexington could be a place of interest for the receiver.
Campbell did not have a reception during his time with the Volunteers and, as noted by the News Sentinel, was likely to not see much of the field in 2010 due to the depth of talent at the position.
The junior has already earned a communications degree, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The wide receiver's father told the paper that his son has made the decision to transfer, although there's no word on where he will land. A school spokesman confirmed to the Knoxville News Sentinel that Campbell has left the program.
Campbell played a portion of his high school career in the state of Kentucky, and was recruited by then-UK offensive coordinator Joker Phillips; as Phillips is now the Wildcats head coach, Lexington could be a place of interest for the receiver.
Campbell did not have a reception during his time with the Volunteers and, as noted by the News Sentinel, was likely to not see much of the field in 2010 due to the depth of talent at the position.
The junior has already earned a communications degree, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Vandy Backfield duo... backs one another
Vanderbilt has had just three players top 1,000 yards rushing in a season, and none since 1995 when Jermaine Johnson rushed for 1,072 yards. It’s a statistic that speaks to the lean years of the program, but also is a statistic that could easily change in the next few years. Never has Vanderbilt had as talented a backfield as it does entering the 2010 season. At the head of the class are rising sophomores Warren Norman and Zac Stacy. The two arrived on campus with fellow running back Wesley Tate, who redshirted, and immediately turned heads as the duo ran through, around and past would-be defenders en route to combining for more yards on the ground (1,261) than any other freshman tandem in school history. Norman, a Stone Mountain, Ga., native carried the torch for Vanderbilt and all SEC freshmen last season when he was named SEC Freshman of the Year. Norman finished the year with 783 yards rushing and an SEC freshman record of 1,941 all-purpose yards. Stacy, who hails from Centreville, Ala., finished with 478 yards rushing despite missing two games due to injury. Pretty good production for a guy who grew up thinking he would more likely end up at an SEC school on a baseball scholarship than a football one. “Baseball was my first love,” Stacy said. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was 6 years old. I always thought I was going to be a baseball player growing up, but I strapped on some pads and began playing football and fell in love with it.” By Ryan Schulz
Sporting News Names Three Bulldogs Preseason All-Americans
ATHENS, Ga. --- Three Georgia football players have been named to the Sporting News’ preseason All-America teams. Junior flanker A.J. Green and junior punter Drew Butler were both named to the publication’s First Team while senior offensive tackle Clint Boling was named to the Third Team. No other team from the Southeastern Conference has more than one player represented on the First Team. Alabama leads the way with six players on the three All-America teams and Georgia is second in the league with three. Green, a Summerville, S.C., native, was a semifinalist for last year’s Biletnikoff after earning All-SEC First Team honors. In just 10 games in 2009, Green hauled in a team-leading 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked second in the league in both receptions per game (5.3) and receiving yards per game (80.8). Green also blocked a field goal against Arizona State last season to help clinch the Bulldogs’ win. Butler, an Alpharetta native, won the 2009 Ray Guy Award for being the nation’s top punter. The consensus First Team All-American posted a national-best 48.1 yards per punt average last season, becoming only the third Bulldog in school history to lead the NCAA in punting. In just his first season as a starter, Butler had 24 punts of 50 yards or more, including a career-long 75 yarder versus #9 Oklahoma State. Both Green and Butler were named to the Playboy and Lindy’s preseason All-America team earlier in the month of June. Boling, also an Alpharetta native, is two-time All-SEC performer at a variety of positions on the offensive line. He started all 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2009, including the final six at left tackle. Boling led a Georgia offense that racked up 1,216 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns during the final five games of the year last season.
UT QB coach again living his dream
Hinshaw, 37, and his wife, Pam, who, along with their four children, recently joined the Tennessee family. Getting a job as quarterbacks coach on first-year UT coach
Derek Dooley's new staff is a significant step for Hinshaw, who previously had made coaching stops at his alma mater, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State and Memphis. No one can appreciate the progression more than his wife, who made the climb right along with him. She's a full-time wife and mother now after 10 years of teaching school and doing most of the parenting while her husband pursued his football dream , first as a player, then as a coach.
"I would not be able to be a college coach if it wasn't for her," Hinshaw said.
Derek Dooley's new staff is a significant step for Hinshaw, who previously had made coaching stops at his alma mater, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State and Memphis. No one can appreciate the progression more than his wife, who made the climb right along with him. She's a full-time wife and mother now after 10 years of teaching school and doing most of the parenting while her husband pursued his football dream , first as a player, then as a coach.
"I would not be able to be a college coach if it wasn't for her," Hinshaw said.
Facebook may lead to secondary violation for Ole Miss
According to the Jackson Clarion Ledger, an Ole Miss assistant may have committed a recruiting violation by posting a comment to a high school player who has given a verbal commitment to in-state rival Mississippi State.
The issue is with some photos posted on the page belonging to Jermaine Whitehead, a cornerback at a Greenwood high school who has given a non-binding, oral commitment to Mississippi State. Two photos appear to be recruiting letters from Ole Miss but made in promotional poster format. A Facebook user appearing to be Ole Miss assistant coach Chris Vaughn comments on both of them.
NCAA rules prohibit coaches from making public comments on recruits' Facebook pages. Coaches can send private messages but can't comment in open forums. Whitehead's account, along with his photos and wall, is open to the public.
The NCAA has commented generally on this situation and, as always, basically said nothing.
"Our members are concerned about the level of intrusion in a young person's life related to recruiting, and the celebrity culture that can develop around the recruitment process, which is why limits are placed on how often coaches can contact recruits," a spokesperson told the paper.
The issue is with some photos posted on the page belonging to Jermaine Whitehead, a cornerback at a Greenwood high school who has given a non-binding, oral commitment to Mississippi State. Two photos appear to be recruiting letters from Ole Miss but made in promotional poster format. A Facebook user appearing to be Ole Miss assistant coach Chris Vaughn comments on both of them.
NCAA rules prohibit coaches from making public comments on recruits' Facebook pages. Coaches can send private messages but can't comment in open forums. Whitehead's account, along with his photos and wall, is open to the public.
The NCAA has commented generally on this situation and, as always, basically said nothing.
"Our members are concerned about the level of intrusion in a young person's life related to recruiting, and the celebrity culture that can develop around the recruitment process, which is why limits are placed on how often coaches can contact recruits," a spokesperson told the paper.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
LSU's...Peterson, Sheppard on Nagurski Watch List
LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and linebacker Kelvin Sheppard have been selected to the watch list for the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented annually to college football's best defensive player, the Football Writers Association of America has announced.
Peterson and Sheppard both made the initial 74-player list that will be trimmed to five finalists during the season. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 6 at a banquet put on by the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Charlotte Hotel.
Twelve Southeastern Conference players were named to the list. LSU All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the last SEC player to receive the award, doing so during the Tigers' 2007 national championship season.
Peterson and Sheppard both made the initial 74-player list that will be trimmed to five finalists during the season. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 6 at a banquet put on by the Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Westin Charlotte Hotel.
Twelve Southeastern Conference players were named to the list. LSU All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the last SEC player to receive the award, doing so during the Tigers' 2007 national championship season.
Razorbacks...Mallett, Williams honored by Sporting News
Ryan Mallett and D.J. Williams, members of the Arkansas Razorback football team, have been honored by Sporting News. Mallett graces the cover of Sporting News' college football yearbook, available on newsstands now. Mallett was chosen as a first-team All-America honoree by the publication. In his first season in the SEC, Mallett led the league in touchdown passes (30), passing yards per game (278.8) and total offense per game (276.5). He was the only player in the SEC to throw five-or-more touchdown passes in three different games. He also led the league in 400-yard passing performances with two and 300-yard passing performances with five. He led the nation in pass efficiency in home games (191.87) and was tops in the country in completions of 25-or-more yards with 44. In addition, he led the SEC in passes of 50-or-more yards (10) and passes of 15-or-more yards (89). Williams was selected as a third-team All-America honoree. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2009 by the league coaches. He finished the year with 32 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns. He tied for 24th in the SEC in receptions per game (2.46) and was 23rd in receiving yards per game (31.62). Against South Carolina, he pulled down a season-best nine catches for a career-high 137 yards.
Arkansas Razorback...Love named to Outland Trophy watch list
University of Arkansas senior offensive tackle DeMarcus Love was named to the 2010 Outland Trophy Watch List as announced by the Football Writers Association of America. The prestigious list gives football fans the first glimpse at a great crop of college offensive and defensive tackles, guards and centers. Love has started 24 games for the Razorbacks, including all 13 games at offensive tackle during the 2009 season in which he was a team captain. He was a member of the unit that blocked for an offense that led the SEC in scoring offense (36.0), pass offense (295.5) and was third in total offense (427.3). Arkansas boasts two Outland Trophy winners in its history. An offensive guard and defensive tackle, Bill "Bud" Brooks was the first UA honoree in 1954. Tackle Loyd Phillips became the second winner in school history when he was honored in 1966.
Fresh faces,of the Coaches, for two Auburn foes
The Press-Register and al.com are counting down the final days (70) until the first Saturday of the college football season on Sept. 4.Auburn linebacker Craig Stevens (46) wraps up Kentucky tailback Derrick Locke (20) in the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday October 17, 2009 in Auburn, Ala. Being a head football coach is a precarious way to make a living, even at a bottom-of-the-BCS place like ULM. Louisiana-Monroe has a new football coach this year in Todd Berry, who previously held the top job at Illinois State and Army. Auburn faces ULM on Oct. 2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.Berry replaced Charlie Weatherbie, who was fired after finishing 6-6, a fairly respectable mark for a program that regularly plays a murderers' row schedule. Weatherbie had guided the Warhawks since 2003, and was best remembered for beating Alabama 21-14 in Tuscaloosa to cap ULM's best season since it ascended to Division I-A . Berry is one of two new coaches Auburn will face on the schedule. Kentucky's Joker Phillips is in his first season as head coach after being designated as the successor to Rich Brooks two years ago.Auburn plays the Wildcats on Oct. 9 in Lexington.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Auburn's got offense, but does it have enough defensive firepower to get to Atlanta?
Malzahn and his tricked-up offense does give Auburn, which finished fourth in the West in the poll (voted on by the SEC's football information directors)and is getting a lot of preseason national love because, a chance for a big year. Frankly, have you seen the Tigers' schedule? Now it's not an easy one, but when the road games are Mississippi State, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Alabama, you've got to like Auburn's chances to, at worst split and, realistically, go 3-1. This could be a heck of an Auburn year if it can find a defense. We are not not sure that's going to happen this fall, but the Tigers are bringing in some playmakers on defense that might help win a game or two. It's a really big if, too. In the East, SEC fans should take Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks seriously. Go ahead, make fun of quarterback Stephen Garcia, but we could name six or seven SEC teams that would love to have Garcia's talent. Spurrier's got playmakers around him and his defense should be one of the league's best. The usual suspects are going to be challenging for Atlanta. But this is a year where a team like Arkansas , Auburn or South Carolina could be the teams with all the buzz in November.
Vuvuzelas not welcome in SEC, either...think World Cup
An Ohio State fan created a mini-uproar earlier this week when he launched a Facebook page urging students to bring vuvuzelas to the Buckeyes' November home game against Penn State. The Big Ten quickly reacted by announcing that, thankfully, the conference stadiums are a vuvuzela-free zone.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, associate commissioner of the SEC Charles Bloom has clarified that only traditional noisemakers, i.e. Mississippi State cowbells, will be allowed in the conference's stadiums.
"Our policy allows for 'traditional' artificial noisemakers to be allowed in stadiums and played during specific times. Other forms of artificial noisemakers are not allowed. I do not believe a vuvuzela is tied traditionally into one of our institutions."
The only blowing allowed at SEC games this fall will be the officiating.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, associate commissioner of the SEC Charles Bloom has clarified that only traditional noisemakers, i.e. Mississippi State cowbells, will be allowed in the conference's stadiums.
"Our policy allows for 'traditional' artificial noisemakers to be allowed in stadiums and played during specific times. Other forms of artificial noisemakers are not allowed. I do not believe a vuvuzela is tied traditionally into one of our institutions."
The only blowing allowed at SEC games this fall will be the officiating.
Alabama's Mark Ingram nominated for ESPY award
Alabama running back Mark Ingram has been nominated for an ESPY in the Best Male College Athlete category.Ingram won Alabama's first Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns and leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship.
The other candidates are FIU baseball player Garrett Wittels, Wisconsin hockey player Blake Geoffrion and basketball players Evan Turner of Ohio State and John Wall of Kentucky.
Fans will have the chance to select the winners by voting online or by mobile device at espn.com/espys and on the ESPN facebook page: facebook.com/espn.
The ESPYs take place on July 14 at 8 p.m. ET at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles and will be hosted by Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
UGA QB Murray carving out leadership role
Quarterback Aaron Murray has been working his way toward grabbing a leadership role as he heads into his first season as a starter.
While he knows it won't happen overnight, Murray says he knows it has to happen at some point.
"I've got to find my way of being a leader on this team, my way to motivate people and figure out ways to push them and make them do stuff they never knew they could do," Murray told the Macon Telegraph. "That's not going to come in a week or two. It's going to take some time to better understand the guys and what they can do and motivate them and hopefully by this summer hopefully I'll make some strides in that category."
His teammates seem impressed with the steps he's taken this offseason.
"He's stepping up to the challenge tremendously," offensive lineman Josh Davis said. "He's putting in extra work. He's trying his best to lead because the quarterback is a leadership position. He's working his butt off to get it done every day."
While he knows it won't happen overnight, Murray says he knows it has to happen at some point.
"I've got to find my way of being a leader on this team, my way to motivate people and figure out ways to push them and make them do stuff they never knew they could do," Murray told the Macon Telegraph. "That's not going to come in a week or two. It's going to take some time to better understand the guys and what they can do and motivate them and hopefully by this summer hopefully I'll make some strides in that category."
His teammates seem impressed with the steps he's taken this offseason.
"He's stepping up to the challenge tremendously," offensive lineman Josh Davis said. "He's putting in extra work. He's trying his best to lead because the quarterback is a leadership position. He's working his butt off to get it done every day."
Cliff Matthews and Stephon Gilmore Named to Nagurski List
South Carolina defensive end Cliff Matthews and cornerback Stephon Gilmore are among the 74 players on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Matthews, a 6-4, 260-pound senior from Cheraw, S.C., has also been named to the preseason Lombardi and Lott Trophy watch lists. He was a second-team All-SEC selection a year ago and has accounted for 105 career tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks.
Gilmore, a 6-1, 188-pound sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C., earned Freshman All-America accolades last season after starting every game at cornerback for the Gamecocks. He was also selected as the University of South Carolina's Male New Student-Athlete of the Year for 2009-10.
Players may be added or deleted to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List during the season. Each week during the 2010 season, the FWAA will choose a Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Besides the 2010 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, presented by CSX Intermodal. Defensive tackle Mike McCoy, a standout for Notre Dame, is being honored from the FWAA's 1969 All-America team.
(gamecocksonline.cstv.com)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Six Alabama players selected to the Sporting News' Preseason All-America teams
Six months after a record six Alabama football players were named first-team Associated Press All-Americans, six members of the Crimson Tide were named Wednesday to the Sporting News' 2010 Preseason All-America teams.
Running back Mark Ingram, the returning Heisman Trophy winner, was a first-team selection.
Wide receiver Julio Jones, defensive end Marcell Dareus, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and strong safety Mark Barron were named to the second team.
Guard Barrett Jones was a third-team selection.
Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner after rushing for a school-record 1,658 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns in 2009.
Julio Jones has combined for 101 receptions for 1,520 yards and eight touchdowns during his first two seasons at Alabama.
Barrett Jones is one of three returning starters on the Crimson Tide's offensive line.
Barron, Dareus and Hightower anchor a defensive unit that must replace nine starters from a season ago when the Tide ranked second nationally in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense.
Earlier this month, Ingram and Julio Jones were named to the 2010 Playboy Preseason All-America Team. Jones also was a 2009 selection.
Senior quarterback Greg McElroy was named the winner of the Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award by the same publication. Playboy will send a check for $5,000 to the University of Alabama's general scholarship fund in McElroy's name.
Running back Mark Ingram, the returning Heisman Trophy winner, was a first-team selection.
Wide receiver Julio Jones, defensive end Marcell Dareus, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and strong safety Mark Barron were named to the second team.
Guard Barrett Jones was a third-team selection.
Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner after rushing for a school-record 1,658 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns in 2009.
Julio Jones has combined for 101 receptions for 1,520 yards and eight touchdowns during his first two seasons at Alabama.
Barrett Jones is one of three returning starters on the Crimson Tide's offensive line.
Barron, Dareus and Hightower anchor a defensive unit that must replace nine starters from a season ago when the Tide ranked second nationally in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense.
Earlier this month, Ingram and Julio Jones were named to the 2010 Playboy Preseason All-America Team. Jones also was a 2009 selection.
Senior quarterback Greg McElroy was named the winner of the Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award by the same publication. Playboy will send a check for $5,000 to the University of Alabama's general scholarship fund in McElroy's name.
Ole Miss player, Rodney Scott, wins sportsmanship award
Rodney Scott, the Ole Miss player who held perfectly still while medical staff tended to an injured Zac Etheridge, was honored with the SEC sportsmanship award.Etheridge sustained what turned out to be a severe neck injury (officially, a cracked fifth vertebra and torn neck ligaments) when he collided with teammate Antonio Coleman while attempting to tackle Scott.
He lay motionless on the field for several minutes before being taken away on a stretcher and transported from the stadium in an ambulance.
Auburn coach Gene Chizik later singled out Scott for praise, saying the Rebel player handled the situation perfectly.
"He was just amazing," Chizik said. "He said it was a God thing. He just knew that something was different. It was almost like he couldn't explain it, but he just knew it was different and he just, he laid there. And it was pretty amazing."
Scott and Etheridge have talked on the phone several times since the incident.
As for Etheridge, he still hopes to play football again, and Auburn hasn't ruled out the chance of him playing in 2010.
SEC proves its strength this Season
The Press-Register and al.com are counting down the final days (73) until the first Saturday of the college football season on Sept. 4. Last season, the SEC compiled a 15-8 record against teams from the other conferences that are members of the Bowl Championship Series. Nine of those meetings came in bowls, meaning the SEC faced BCS foes in 14 of its 48 non-conference games in the regular season.
This season, the SEC will go one better, facing off against other BCS conferences 15 times.Vanderbilt has the fullest slate, playing Northwestern of the Big Ten, Connecticut of the Big East and Wake Forest of the ACC.Neither Ole Miss nor Mississippi State has a BCS opponent on its non-conference slate. Alabama, Georgia and LSU play two each. Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee play one apiece.Teams from the ACC are the most common BCS opponents, appearing seven times on SEC schedules this season. SEC teams meet the Big East four times, the Big 12 twice and the Big Ten and Pac-10 once each in the 2010 regular season.Of the 15 games against BCS opponents, the SEC is at home in seven and on the road in six, with two at neutral sites. LSU plays North Carolina in Atlanta and Arkansas plays Texas A&M at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium.Of their other 33 non-conference games, SEC teams will be on the road for only three, Ole Miss at Tulane, Mississippi State at Houston, and Tennessee at Memphis.Louisiana-Monroe is the Sun Belt Conference's SEC auxiliary member this season. The Warhawks visit Arkansas, Auburn and LSU.
This season, the SEC will go one better, facing off against other BCS conferences 15 times.Vanderbilt has the fullest slate, playing Northwestern of the Big Ten, Connecticut of the Big East and Wake Forest of the ACC.Neither Ole Miss nor Mississippi State has a BCS opponent on its non-conference slate. Alabama, Georgia and LSU play two each. Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee play one apiece.Teams from the ACC are the most common BCS opponents, appearing seven times on SEC schedules this season. SEC teams meet the Big East four times, the Big 12 twice and the Big Ten and Pac-10 once each in the 2010 regular season.Of the 15 games against BCS opponents, the SEC is at home in seven and on the road in six, with two at neutral sites. LSU plays North Carolina in Atlanta and Arkansas plays Texas A&M at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium.Of their other 33 non-conference games, SEC teams will be on the road for only three, Ole Miss at Tulane, Mississippi State at Houston, and Tennessee at Memphis.Louisiana-Monroe is the Sun Belt Conference's SEC auxiliary member this season. The Warhawks visit Arkansas, Auburn and LSU.
Oklahoma president: SEC invited Sooners and Texas A and M
Oklahoma President David Boren confirmed today that Oklahoma and Texas A&M received invites from the SEC during the latest round of conference realignment. Both schools decided to stay in the Big 12.Multiple media outlets have previously reported that the SEC was targeting Oklahoma and Texas A&M. But this is the first time a university or conference official publicly said that invitations were given.
Boren told The Associated Press that because the SEC offer didn't include Oklahoma State and Texas, he didn't consider it a good option. Boren said the Pac-10 offer was for five Big 12 schools, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech , to join as a group.
The SEC has said in recent weeks it won't comment on conference realignment and has remained silent on the issue since the Big 12 stayed intact at 10 members. Colorado went to the Pac-10 and Nebraska departed for the Big Ten.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Razorback's Love On Outland Trophy Watch List
Arkansas offensive tackle DeMarcus Love was named to the 2010 Outland Trophy Watch List on Monday morning.
The Outland Trophy recognizes the nation's top offensive and defensive linemen, centers and offensive guards. Love has been a mainstay on the Razorbacks' offensive front for the past two years and will enter his third season as a tackle after beginning his career at guard.
Love has started 24 games in his Arkansas career, including all 13 last season. He was part of an offense that led the Southeastern Conference in scoring (36 points) and passing offense (295.5 yards) in 2009. The Razorbacks also were third in total offense (427.3).
Arkansas has had two Outland Trophy winners in its history. Offensive guard and defensive tackle Bud Brooks won the award in 1954. Loyd Phillips was the recipient of the honor in 1966.
Love was one of 62 players named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. The Football Writers Association of America, which announced the Outland Trophy Watch List on Monday, will add and delete players as the season progresses.
The FWAA All-America Committee will name three finalists in late November. The winner of the 2010 Outland Trophy will be named on Dec. 9.
The Outland Trophy recognizes the nation's top offensive and defensive linemen, centers and offensive guards. Love has been a mainstay on the Razorbacks' offensive front for the past two years and will enter his third season as a tackle after beginning his career at guard.
Love has started 24 games in his Arkansas career, including all 13 last season. He was part of an offense that led the Southeastern Conference in scoring (36 points) and passing offense (295.5 yards) in 2009. The Razorbacks also were third in total offense (427.3).
Arkansas has had two Outland Trophy winners in its history. Offensive guard and defensive tackle Bud Brooks won the award in 1954. Loyd Phillips was the recipient of the honor in 1966.
Love was one of 62 players named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. The Football Writers Association of America, which announced the Outland Trophy Watch List on Monday, will add and delete players as the season progresses.
The FWAA All-America Committee will name three finalists in late November. The winner of the 2010 Outland Trophy will be named on Dec. 9.
Five Alabama Players on Outland and Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch Lists
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Football Writers Association of America announced the watch lists for the 2010 Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy this week with five Alabama player included on the two lists. Three Crimson Tide players represented Alabama on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, including safety Mark Barron, defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Offensive linemen James Carpenter and Barrett Jones were selected to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded each year to the nation's top defensive player by the FWAA and the Charlotte (N.C.) Touchdown Club. Additional players may be added throughout the season with five finalists being announced on Nov. 18. Barron started all 14 games for Alabama in 2009 and finished second on the team with 76 tackles while leading the Southeastern Conference with seven interceptions and ranking tied for second with 18 passes defended. Barron was a first-team All-SEC selection and a third-team Associated Press All-American. Hightower suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee early in the 2009 season but returned to form this spring during practice. He was a 2008 Freshman All-American and has 80 career tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Dareus has only started four career games for the Tide, but has proven to be a playmaker when he is on the field. He knocked Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the BCS National Championship Game with a first-quarter hit and then intercepted a pass at the end of the first half and returned it for a touchdown. He has 37 career stops with nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The Outland Trophy goes to the best offensive or defensive linemen in the country. It is selected by the FWAA and has been presented annually since 1946, making it the third-oldest award in major college football. Players can be added to the watch list throughout the season with three finalists chosen in November and the winner being selected at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show. Both Carpenter and Jones started 14 games a season ago and were two of three new starters on the Tide's offensive front. Carpenter was a second-team All-SEC selection while Jones was a second-team Academic All-American and a first-team Freshman All-American. The offensive line helped crank out 403 yards of total offense per game in 2009 and 215 yards rushing that ranked 12th nationally. Sporting News Recognizes Six Tide Players on its Preseason All-America Teams, Six University of Alabama football players were named to Sporting News' 2010 Preseason All-America teams on Wednesday. Returning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was a first-team selection while Julio Jones, Marcell Dareus, Dont'a Hightower and Mark Barron were named to the second team and Barrett Jones garnered third-team recognition. Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner after rushing for a school-record 1,658 yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2009. Jones has combined for 101 receptions for 1,520 yards and eight scores during his first two seasons at the Capstone. Jones is one of three returning starters on the Crimson Tide's offensive line. The defensive trio of Barron, Dareus and Hightower anchor a defensive unit that must replace nine starters from a season ago when the Tide ranked second nationally in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense.
(www.rolltide.com)
Ole Miss' Jerrell Powe Nominated for Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
DALLAS -- Ole Miss' Jerrell Powe was named to watch lists for both the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, as announced Monday by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Outland Trophy honors college football's top interior lineman, while the Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation's best defensive player.
A senior defensive tackle, Powe was also selected to the preliminary watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award. The Waynesboro, Miss., native has received preseason All-America honors from multiple media outlets after an All-SEC campaign in 2009, when he tied for eighth in the conference in TFLs with 12.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century. The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
(www.olemisssports.com)
Three Georgia Players Nominated
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia senior Clint Boling and junior Ben Jones have been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List while junior Justin Houston is listed on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, according to recent announcements from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Boling, an Alpharetta native, and Jones, a Centreville, Ala., native, were two of 63 offensive and defensive tackles, offensive guards and centers named to this year’s Outland Trophy Watch List and two of 11 players from the Southeastern Conference. The FWAA All-America Committee will select three finalists in late November and eventually the overall winner.
A two-time All-SEC performer at a variety of positions on the offensive line, Boling started all 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2009, including the final six at left tackle. He led an offense that racked up 1,216 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns during the final five games of the year last season.
Jones has played in all 26 games during his two-year career and has started 23 consecutive contests. The 6-3, 300-pound center was named to the All-SEC Second Team following the 2009 season.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century. The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9. The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be on Jan. 13 in Omaha, Neb.
Houston, a native of Statesboro, is one of 74 players named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and one of 12 from the SEC. The 6-3, 260-pound defensive end was named to the All-SEC Second Team after starting all 10 games he played in last year and leading the team with 15.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Houston is the top returning player in the league in both of those categories.
Each week during the 2010 season, the FWAA will choose a Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Besides the 2010 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award.
Boling and Houston have already been named to the Lombardi Award Watch List while Jones was included on the Rimington Award Watch List.
Boling, an Alpharetta native, and Jones, a Centreville, Ala., native, were two of 63 offensive and defensive tackles, offensive guards and centers named to this year’s Outland Trophy Watch List and two of 11 players from the Southeastern Conference. The FWAA All-America Committee will select three finalists in late November and eventually the overall winner.
A two-time All-SEC performer at a variety of positions on the offensive line, Boling started all 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2009, including the final six at left tackle. He led an offense that racked up 1,216 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns during the final five games of the year last season.
Jones has played in all 26 games during his two-year career and has started 23 consecutive contests. The 6-3, 300-pound center was named to the All-SEC Second Team following the 2009 season.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century. The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9. The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be on Jan. 13 in Omaha, Neb.
Houston, a native of Statesboro, is one of 74 players named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and one of 12 from the SEC. The 6-3, 260-pound defensive end was named to the All-SEC Second Team after starting all 10 games he played in last year and leading the team with 15.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Houston is the top returning player in the league in both of those categories.
Each week during the 2010 season, the FWAA will choose a Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Besides the 2010 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award.
Boling and Houston have already been named to the Lombardi Award Watch List while Jones was included on the Rimington Award Watch List.
(www.georgiadogs.com)
Monday, June 21, 2010
by...David Climer: As Vols college football TV deals grow, ticket sales slow
For four days last week, University of Tennessee fans were invited to visit Neyland Stadium and scope out more than 1,000 seats that are available for the upcoming football season.
It's official. Hell has frozen over.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. For years, decades, really , UT had an extensive waiting list for football season tickets. The Vols couldn't expand Neyland Stadium quickly enough to accommodate the backlog.
Those days are long gone. The primary suspects are a bad economy and mediocre football , not necessarily in that order.
That's the easy answer but it's not necessarily the only answer.
Certainly, the recession has taken a toll on discretionary spending. Likewise, it's hard to get hot and bothered about a program that is just 36-27 over the past five seasons and hasn't been to a BCS bowl since 1999.
UT is on its third head coach in the past three years. A program that used to contend for national championships now struggles to gain market share in the SEC East.
But I'm starting to wonder if there aren't mitigating circumstances to this ticket trauma. When the SEC signed its blockbuster deals with CBS and ESPN last summer, it guaranteed that every conference football game would be on some TV platform.
Could it be that high-def broadcasts equal a slow death to season-ticket sales?
I hope some SEC bean counter did the math on all this before the league signed off on the TV deal. It's hard to argue with the exposure and millions of up-front revenue from television, but this could take a big bite out of ticket sales and donor contributions.
Consider: At UT and most big-time football programs in the SEC and elsewhere, the opportunity to buy season tickets comes with a premium. A season ticket to seven home games this year runs you $360. But you've got to write a check before you even get in line to purchase the tickets.
For example, if you want to buy two season tickets in the prime midfield seating at Neyland Stadium, a $5,000 donation is required. For smaller donations, season tickets can be purchased in other sections of the stadium.
It adds up quickly. Donations accounted for more than $30 million of UT's 2009-10 athletics budget of $102.45 million. While a few high rollers forked over donations with no strings attached, much of the money was tied to season-ticket purchases.
What happens if more and more fair-weather fans decide they'll sit this one out and watch the games on TV, withholding their donations in the process? This hits UT and other schools right where it hurts — in the revenue stream.
Granted, it is too early to project a doomsday scenario on attendance at college football games. There is no substitute for being part of the color and pageantry of a Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium or any of the traditional sports shrines around the country.
But when a program such as UT starts coming up short on season-ticket sales, it's time to take a TV timeout and re-evaluate how you're doing business.
It's official. Hell has frozen over.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. For years, decades, really , UT had an extensive waiting list for football season tickets. The Vols couldn't expand Neyland Stadium quickly enough to accommodate the backlog.
Those days are long gone. The primary suspects are a bad economy and mediocre football , not necessarily in that order.
That's the easy answer but it's not necessarily the only answer.
Certainly, the recession has taken a toll on discretionary spending. Likewise, it's hard to get hot and bothered about a program that is just 36-27 over the past five seasons and hasn't been to a BCS bowl since 1999.
UT is on its third head coach in the past three years. A program that used to contend for national championships now struggles to gain market share in the SEC East.
But I'm starting to wonder if there aren't mitigating circumstances to this ticket trauma. When the SEC signed its blockbuster deals with CBS and ESPN last summer, it guaranteed that every conference football game would be on some TV platform.
Could it be that high-def broadcasts equal a slow death to season-ticket sales?
I hope some SEC bean counter did the math on all this before the league signed off on the TV deal. It's hard to argue with the exposure and millions of up-front revenue from television, but this could take a big bite out of ticket sales and donor contributions.
Consider: At UT and most big-time football programs in the SEC and elsewhere, the opportunity to buy season tickets comes with a premium. A season ticket to seven home games this year runs you $360. But you've got to write a check before you even get in line to purchase the tickets.
For example, if you want to buy two season tickets in the prime midfield seating at Neyland Stadium, a $5,000 donation is required. For smaller donations, season tickets can be purchased in other sections of the stadium.
It adds up quickly. Donations accounted for more than $30 million of UT's 2009-10 athletics budget of $102.45 million. While a few high rollers forked over donations with no strings attached, much of the money was tied to season-ticket purchases.
What happens if more and more fair-weather fans decide they'll sit this one out and watch the games on TV, withholding their donations in the process? This hits UT and other schools right where it hurts — in the revenue stream.
Granted, it is too early to project a doomsday scenario on attendance at college football games. There is no substitute for being part of the color and pageantry of a Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium or any of the traditional sports shrines around the country.
But when a program such as UT starts coming up short on season-ticket sales, it's time to take a TV timeout and re-evaluate how you're doing business.
2010 Outland Trophy Watch List...SEC Dominates
The 2010 Outland Trophy Watch List was released Monday morning. There are a ton of SEC and ACC Players on the list.The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century. The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9.
The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be on Jan. 13 in Omaha, Neb.
Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for consideration. Candidates may be added or removed during the season.
2010 OUTLAND TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Sam Acho, Texas, DT Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson, DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT Carl Johnson, Florida, G Tim Barnes, Missouri, C Barrett Jones, Alabama, G Colin Baxter, Arizona, C Ben Jones, Florida, C Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech, C Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU, C Chase Beeler, Stanford, C Karl Klug, Iowa, DT Clint Boling, Georgia, T Ben Lamaak, Iowa State, C Justin Boren, Ohio State, G DeMarcus Love, Arkansas, T Cory Brandon, Oklahoma, T Ryan McMahon, Florida State, C Mike Brewster, Ohio State, C Ryan Miller, Colorado, G Bryant Browning, Ohio State, G Drake Nevis, LSU, DT Marcus Cannon, TCU, T Kristofer O’Dowd, USC, C Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, T Josh Oglesby, Wisconsin, T James Carpenter, Alabama, T Stephen Paea, Oregon State, DT Jurrell Casey, USC, DT Alan Pelc, North Carolina, G Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, T Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh, T Thomas Claiborne, Boston College, G Ken Plue, Purdue, G Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT Nate Potter, Boise State, G Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech, T Mike Pouncey, Florida, C Art Forst, Rutgers, G Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss, DT Marcus Forston, Miami, DT Matt Reynolds, BYU, T Orlando Franklin, Miami, T Trevor Robinson, Notre Dame, T Anthony Gray, Southern Miss, DT Stephen Schilling, Michigan, G Lawrence Guy, Arizona State, DT Caleb Schlauderaff, Utah, G Ben Habern, Oklahoma, CNate Solder, Colorado, TKyle Hix, Texas, TAdrian Taylor, Oklahoma, DTRodney Hudson, Florida State, G Zane Taylor, Utah, C Omar Hunter, Florida, DT Bo Thran, Oregon, T Rod Huntley, UTEP, G Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple, DT Zach Hurd, Connecticut, G Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State, GB enjamin Ijalana, Villanova, T Lee Ziemba, Auburn, T Andrew Jackson, Fresno State, G
Nagurski Trophy releases 2010 Watch List
Given annually to the nation's best defensive player since 1993, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy has released its 2010 Watch List.
It is an extensive watch list, comprised of 74 players from ten conferences and two divisions of football.
The ACC leads the charge with 13 players named to the preseason list, followed by the SEC (12), Big 12 (10), Pac-10 (9) and Big Ten (8). The Big East has five players on the list, just one more than the Mountain West's and Conference USA's four.
It is an extensive watch list, comprised of 74 players from ten conferences and two divisions of football.
The ACC leads the charge with 13 players named to the preseason list, followed by the SEC (12), Big 12 (10), Pac-10 (9) and Big Ten (8). The Big East has five players on the list, just one more than the Mountain West's and Conference USA's four.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Coach Phillips, Kentucky Football Announce GAM3DAY READY Tour
University of Kentucky football head coach Joker Phillips is taking the GAM3DAY READY message across the Commonwealth later this month as part of the inaugural GAM3DAY READY Tour.The events are open to youth entering their eighth-grade year or below. Youth will get to participate in various football skills and related drills (punt, pass, kick, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, etc.).
The four cities included on the tour are Hyden (Old City Park) on June 24, Central City (Broad Street Downtown Lot) on June 27, Danville (Millennium Park) on June 28 and Louisville (Shawnee Park Great Lawn near Broadway) on June 29. Admission to all four tour stops is free.
Registration opens at each tour stop at 4:30 p.m. with the football activities starting at 5:30 p.m. and running for about 90 minutes to two hours. All times are local.
Each youth that participates in the event will receive a free GAM3DAY READY gear pack that includes a shirt, water bottle and other UK items (while supplies last). There will also be a post-event snack for the youth and coach Phillips will address the crowd.
The football activities are intended for children seven years of age or above. However the event will have a family friendly atmosphere with music, giant inflatable games and other activities for children age six and under.
Did Texas A n M have an invite to join the SEC... or a conditional invite?
We are not saying that they, Texas A&M aren't worthy of being in the SEC or anything like that. Although, what has become apparent is that TV wanted to keep the status quo. If Texas A&M left, or Texas, there would be chaos in the college football landscape. Texas leaves to the PAC ; sheer chaos. Texas A&M leaves to the SEC; the Big 12 implodes and you have it chaos. The 'man' of TV didn't want that, so they upped the ante. Ironically, Texas A&M's flirtation with the SEC created the mess we are in now, a watered down Big 12-2. Not that we blame them, but we think the SEC offer was conditional on the other teams bolting for the PAC 10, for certain money coffers. If this is not the reasoning behind the alignment, your administration's personnel are cowards, and we can not come to believe that!
So...What just Happened to College Football?
It all comes down to this, people have spent the last few weeks making some big moves to try to make some big money on College Football. Texas was annoyed that it wasn’t earning as much as Big 10 or SEC schools from TV contracts, as were Texas A&M and Oklahoma, while Nebraska felt it didn’t have enough power in the Big 12.
All of this left Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe staring unemployment in the face as the Pac 10, Big Ten, and SEC moved in to carve up his conference. First Colorado bolted west, then Nebraska moved to the Big Ten on Friday.
That should have been the end of the Big 12 and Beebe’s job, but he lucked out. The Pac 10 and Texas couldn’t come to an agreement on letting the Longhorns create their own cable TV network. That gave Beebe a chance to offer a new deal to Texas where the whole of the conference would make big increases in TV money with Texas getting the lion’s share, as well as letting Texas set up its own network.
With Texas getting what it wanted the other members of a potentially super-sized Pac-16 conference all had to bow to its wishes and return to the fold, for now at least. Of course this has some people wondering why he didn’t deliver such a deal before losing Colorado and Nebraska.
This is far from over. The Pac 10 won’t be happy with an odd number of teams, they will want a 12th team. They could raid the Mountain West and nab Utah, meaning that conference could come out the loser from all of this despite adding Boise State. Alternatively the Pac 10 might decide that patience is a virtue and wait to plan another raid on the Big 12 in a year or two.
One thing this whole mess has taught us, there really is no off-season in College Football
All of this left Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe staring unemployment in the face as the Pac 10, Big Ten, and SEC moved in to carve up his conference. First Colorado bolted west, then Nebraska moved to the Big Ten on Friday.
That should have been the end of the Big 12 and Beebe’s job, but he lucked out. The Pac 10 and Texas couldn’t come to an agreement on letting the Longhorns create their own cable TV network. That gave Beebe a chance to offer a new deal to Texas where the whole of the conference would make big increases in TV money with Texas getting the lion’s share, as well as letting Texas set up its own network.
With Texas getting what it wanted the other members of a potentially super-sized Pac-16 conference all had to bow to its wishes and return to the fold, for now at least. Of course this has some people wondering why he didn’t deliver such a deal before losing Colorado and Nebraska.
This is far from over. The Pac 10 won’t be happy with an odd number of teams, they will want a 12th team. They could raid the Mountain West and nab Utah, meaning that conference could come out the loser from all of this despite adding Boise State. Alternatively the Pac 10 might decide that patience is a virtue and wait to plan another raid on the Big 12 in a year or two.
One thing this whole mess has taught us, there really is no off-season in College Football
Saturday, June 19, 2010
UGA says...Who's the next A.J. Green?
There has been no shortage of buzz about whether another Georgia freshman receiver could have the type of impact this season that A.J. Green had last season.
Whoa, advises senior receiver Michael Moore.
“It’s really not fair to compare anybody to A.J. Green right now,” Moore said. “That’d be putting too much pressure on somebody.”
Even so, Moore has been impressed by highly touted incoming freshmen receivers Marlon Brown, Rantavious Wooten and Orson Charles in workouts this summer.
“I really feel all three of them can make plays,” Moore said. “Marlon , you throw it up, and he’s going to get it. Wooten, he’s a fast, quick guy; put the ball in space and he can make something happen. And Orson , he’s a hard-worker, a nitty-gritty guy ... a big body who can also run.”
But as for a Green-like impact? “Just come in and work hard and prove it during the season,” Moore said.
Charles also has caught the attention of sophomore cornerback Brandon Boykin.
“He is probably going to make a big impact,” Boykin said. “I feel he’s a man-child. I don’t know where coaches will put him, he can play both tight end and receiver, but I feel like he came in off the bat doing really good. I look for him to be making plays.”
Receiver will be a closely watched position in the Bulldogs’ preseason practices because only Green and Moore are proven producers at the position.
Whoa, advises senior receiver Michael Moore.
“It’s really not fair to compare anybody to A.J. Green right now,” Moore said. “That’d be putting too much pressure on somebody.”
Even so, Moore has been impressed by highly touted incoming freshmen receivers Marlon Brown, Rantavious Wooten and Orson Charles in workouts this summer.
“I really feel all three of them can make plays,” Moore said. “Marlon , you throw it up, and he’s going to get it. Wooten, he’s a fast, quick guy; put the ball in space and he can make something happen. And Orson , he’s a hard-worker, a nitty-gritty guy ... a big body who can also run.”
But as for a Green-like impact? “Just come in and work hard and prove it during the season,” Moore said.
Charles also has caught the attention of sophomore cornerback Brandon Boykin.
“He is probably going to make a big impact,” Boykin said. “I feel he’s a man-child. I don’t know where coaches will put him, he can play both tight end and receiver, but I feel like he came in off the bat doing really good. I look for him to be making plays.”
Receiver will be a closely watched position in the Bulldogs’ preseason practices because only Green and Moore are proven producers at the position.
Auburn approves construction of $16.5 million indoor football practice facility
The Auburn Board of Trustees approved a $16.5 million indoor football practice facility Friday that will feature a much-needed 120-yard field.
Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs
The new facility will trump the current indoor facility that features a 40-yard field that often forces the offense and defense to take turns practicing in bad weather.
The 92,000 square-foot facility will also be available for soccer, baseball, softball and track to practice in bad weather. The proposal approved called the indoor facility to "designate as an expedited project." Construction will begin after the 2010 season. Auburn wants to open the facility before the 2011 season."It's just another step in our master plan that we put together five years ago to compete at the highest level in all our sports," said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs.The new facility will replace the John H. Watson Fieldhouse, which was dedicated in 1999.The new indoor facility will run the length of the main outdoor practice field. Both fields will run east-west, rather than the layout of the existing fields, which run north-south. The new practice layout will reduce the number of outdoor practice fields from three to two. The $16.5 million indoor facility is the biggest athletic expansion since the school built the $90 million Auburn Arena, which will open this basketball season; and follows the expansion of the track and soccer facilities.Part of the facility will be initially funded by a bond issue. The project will be entirely funded by the athletic department.With the opening of the Auburn Arena, the trustees were also told of a preliminary plan to demolish Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum and build a parking garage its place. Auburn approved Inifinity Architecture of Montgomery as the design consultants and Robins and Morton Construction of Birmingham as the construction manager.A $72 million student wellness center was also approved. It will be located near Beard-Eaves and the Auburn Arena. Construction will likely begin in a year with an opening two years later. SEC indoor facilities: Alabama: 110-yard facility Arkansas: 100-yard facility. Auburn: New $16.5 million 120-yard facility approved. Currently 40-yard practice facility. Florida: None Georgia: Under construction Kentucky: 100-yard facility LSU: 100-yard facility Mississippi: 100-yard facility Mississippi State: 100-yard facility South Carolina: 60-yard facility. Tennessee: 70-yard facility; two full end zones; expansion approved Vanderbilt: None
Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs
The new facility will trump the current indoor facility that features a 40-yard field that often forces the offense and defense to take turns practicing in bad weather.
The 92,000 square-foot facility will also be available for soccer, baseball, softball and track to practice in bad weather. The proposal approved called the indoor facility to "designate as an expedited project." Construction will begin after the 2010 season. Auburn wants to open the facility before the 2011 season."It's just another step in our master plan that we put together five years ago to compete at the highest level in all our sports," said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs.The new facility will replace the John H. Watson Fieldhouse, which was dedicated in 1999.The new indoor facility will run the length of the main outdoor practice field. Both fields will run east-west, rather than the layout of the existing fields, which run north-south. The new practice layout will reduce the number of outdoor practice fields from three to two. The $16.5 million indoor facility is the biggest athletic expansion since the school built the $90 million Auburn Arena, which will open this basketball season; and follows the expansion of the track and soccer facilities.Part of the facility will be initially funded by a bond issue. The project will be entirely funded by the athletic department.With the opening of the Auburn Arena, the trustees were also told of a preliminary plan to demolish Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum and build a parking garage its place. Auburn approved Inifinity Architecture of Montgomery as the design consultants and Robins and Morton Construction of Birmingham as the construction manager.A $72 million student wellness center was also approved. It will be located near Beard-Eaves and the Auburn Arena. Construction will likely begin in a year with an opening two years later. SEC indoor facilities: Alabama: 110-yard facility Arkansas: 100-yard facility. Auburn: New $16.5 million 120-yard facility approved. Currently 40-yard practice facility. Florida: None Georgia: Under construction Kentucky: 100-yard facility LSU: 100-yard facility Mississippi: 100-yard facility Mississippi State: 100-yard facility South Carolina: 60-yard facility. Tennessee: 70-yard facility; two full end zones; expansion approved Vanderbilt: None
It's hard to get to No. 1, but it's harder to stay there...Talkin' 'bout 'Bama
The Press-Register and al.com are counting down the final days (77) until the first Saturday of the college football season on Sept. 4.Alabama is expected to hold the top spot in The Associated Press preseason college football poll. But is that an honor or an omen?Of the previous 60 preseason polls, just 10 of the top-ranked teams held the No. 1 spot in the final poll, too -- a success rate of about 17 percent.The Crimson Tide is expected to become the 11th SEC team to open at No. 1 in the AP rankings. Two of the previous 10 teams also finished at No. 1, while five failed to stay No. 1 even in the first regular-season poll.Tennessee in 1951 and Alabama in 1978 are the SEC teams that lived up to their preseason ranking by topping the final AP poll as well, but neither of those teams held the top spot for the entire season.Fourteen other SEC teams have won the AP's national championship by ranking No. 1 in the final poll, including Alabama last season.The other SEC teams that topped the AP preseason poll are 1959 LSU (final poll position: third), 1964 Ole Miss (unranked), 1966 Alabama (third), 1984 Auburn (14th), 1994 Florida (seventh), 2001 Florida (third), 2008 Georgia (13th) and 2009 Florida (third).
Friday, June 18, 2010
Vols Nick Reveiz on Bryce Brown: if he wanted to come back, we would have open arms
If running back Bryce Brown chose to return to Tennessee, senior linebacker Nick Reveiz said he thought the team would welcome him back with open arms.
Brown, who backed up Montario Hardesty last season as a freshman, didn't take part in spring practice under new UT coach Derek Dooley and is expected to transfer. But there has been no closure.
Dooley has never said Brown couldn't return to the team. And there has been no announcement of a transfer.
Reveiz, one of UT's most prominent team leaders, is as uncertain as everyone else about Brown's status.
"I was wondering about that yesterday," Reveiz said Friday. "I tried to call him when I found out he was leaving, but I couldn't get in contact with him.
"I've heard whispers that maybe he would come back. I don't know where his mind is at. But if he wanted to come back, we would have open arms."
Doley said earlier that Brown's return would be contingent on his teammates accepting him.
Brown would have to give his teammates something in return, according to Reveiz.
"He has missed a lot of practices, a lot of workouts," Reveiz said. "He obviously would have to make that up.
"He would have to work hard. Nothing would be given to him."
Brown, who backed up Montario Hardesty last season as a freshman, didn't take part in spring practice under new UT coach Derek Dooley and is expected to transfer. But there has been no closure.
Dooley has never said Brown couldn't return to the team. And there has been no announcement of a transfer.
Reveiz, one of UT's most prominent team leaders, is as uncertain as everyone else about Brown's status.
"I was wondering about that yesterday," Reveiz said Friday. "I tried to call him when I found out he was leaving, but I couldn't get in contact with him.
"I've heard whispers that maybe he would come back. I don't know where his mind is at. But if he wanted to come back, we would have open arms."
Doley said earlier that Brown's return would be contingent on his teammates accepting him.
Brown would have to give his teammates something in return, according to Reveiz.
"He has missed a lot of practices, a lot of workouts," Reveiz said. "He obviously would have to make that up.
"He would have to work hard. Nothing would be given to him."
Jerry Jones denies talking Big 12 with Arkansas
A report, stemming from Wednesday, which stated that Jerry Jones was stumping for both Arkansas and Notre Dame to become teams 11 and 12 in the Big 12 conference.
Cowboys vice president of public relations Rich Dalrymple told ESPNDallas.com that Jones had denied not only talking to Arkansas about a move to the Big 12, but also that he wanted the Irish to join as well.
However, the website reports that a source confirmed Wednesday night Jones' interest in swiping the Razorbacks, his alma mater from the SEC and pushing them into the Big 12.
At least publicly, the school itself is stating that they have no desire to leave the SEC.
Cowboys vice president of public relations Rich Dalrymple told ESPNDallas.com that Jones had denied not only talking to Arkansas about a move to the Big 12, but also that he wanted the Irish to join as well.
However, the website reports that a source confirmed Wednesday night Jones' interest in swiping the Razorbacks, his alma mater from the SEC and pushing them into the Big 12.
At least publicly, the school itself is stating that they have no desire to leave the SEC.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Alabama does not yield 100 yards rushing
The Press-Register and al.com are counting down the final days (80) until the first Saturday of the college football season on Sept. 4.Entering this season, Alabama's defense carries a 34-game streak of not allowing an opposing player to rush for 100 yards.The last player to accomplish the feat against the Crimson Tide was former Ole Miss running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who totaled 131 rushing yards in an Oct. 13, 2007 game in Oxford.Alabama ranked second nationally in run defense last season at 78.14 yards allowed per game. Only Auburn (151), Kentucky (133) and Mississippi (114) topped the 100-yard mark as a team against the Crimson Tide in 2009.Meanwhile, Alabama's offense topped 200 yards in nine of 13 games and reached the 100-yard mark as a team against every foe except Auburn (73 yards).
Gamecocks Add Navy to 2011 Schedule
Navy has been added to the non-conference football schedule for the 2011 season. The Midshipmen will make their way to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, September 17, 2011. It will be the first meeting on the gridiron between the Gamecocks and the Naval Academy since 1988. The Gamecocks have won four of the previous seven meetings, including the last two, avenging that fateful 38-21 loss in 1984. Navy finished the 2009 season with a 10-4 record. They captured the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy and defeated Missouri in the Texas Bowl.
Tebow to be immortalized
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Florida's University Athletic Association board members have approved construction of bronze statues that will honor Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Steve Spurrier and will be placed outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The three former Gators represent the school's three Heisman Trophy winners.
Construction will begin "some time after the new year", and Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post reports that "the statues will be installed early in 2011 outside of the stadium."
Here is an exclusive statement from the current Denver Broncos quarterback.
"I promise you one thing: A lot of good will come out of this. You will never see any player in the entire country pose as hard as I will pose. You will never see someone bronze the rest of the team as hard as I will bronze everybody. You will never see a team pose and bronze harder than we will. God bless."
Construction will begin "some time after the new year", and Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post reports that "the statues will be installed early in 2011 outside of the stadium."
Here is an exclusive statement from the current Denver Broncos quarterback.
"I promise you one thing: A lot of good will come out of this. You will never see any player in the entire country pose as hard as I will pose. You will never see someone bronze the rest of the team as hard as I will bronze everybody. You will never see a team pose and bronze harder than we will. God bless."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Arkansas 'hearts' are with the SEC
The Razorbacks felt strongly enough to release a statement, here's the statement from the school:
"In recent weeks and months there has been much national dialogue regarding conference affiliation in intercollegiate athletics. In the course of that dialogue some have suggested that the University of Arkansas was an institution that may be pursued by other conferences. From the beginning, we have been very clear that the University of Arkansas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference and has no interest in joining another conference. Chancellor Gearhart has been unwavering in his support of our institution's continued membership in the SEC. Recent events have not in any way altered our commitment or desire to remain a member of what we believe is the strongest conference in the nation."
"In recent weeks and months there has been much national dialogue regarding conference affiliation in intercollegiate athletics. In the course of that dialogue some have suggested that the University of Arkansas was an institution that may be pursued by other conferences. From the beginning, we have been very clear that the University of Arkansas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference and has no interest in joining another conference. Chancellor Gearhart has been unwavering in his support of our institution's continued membership in the SEC. Recent events have not in any way altered our commitment or desire to remain a member of what we believe is the strongest conference in the nation."
Ex-USC LB Jones to go home to UGA
The Athens Banner-Herald is reporting, that the Columbus, Ga., native was cleared by Georgia's medical staff during a visit Tuesday and will transfer to the school.
USC's medical staff had not cleared the linebacker following a neck injury suffered during the 2009 season, one that new head coach Lane Kiffin termed as potentially career-threatening earlier this offseason. UGA's doctors apparently disagreed with USC's prognosis, and Jones will seek a waiver that would allow him to play in 2010 instead of being forced to sit out the season in order to satisfy the NCAA's transfer rule.
"He didn't willingly leave Southern Cal," Jones' high school coach Dell McGee told the paper. "It was considered medical in nature. They didn't clear him to play. I'm under the assumption that he's going to be able to play. Georgia is probably going to ask for an appeal to play."
Jones was heavily recruited by Georgia before he ultimately became a part of the Trojans' 2009 recruiting class.
USC's medical staff had not cleared the linebacker following a neck injury suffered during the 2009 season, one that new head coach Lane Kiffin termed as potentially career-threatening earlier this offseason. UGA's doctors apparently disagreed with USC's prognosis, and Jones will seek a waiver that would allow him to play in 2010 instead of being forced to sit out the season in order to satisfy the NCAA's transfer rule.
"He didn't willingly leave Southern Cal," Jones' high school coach Dell McGee told the paper. "It was considered medical in nature. They didn't clear him to play. I'm under the assumption that he's going to be able to play. Georgia is probably going to ask for an appeal to play."
Jones was heavily recruited by Georgia before he ultimately became a part of the Trojans' 2009 recruiting class.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Four UGA Bulldogs Named To Blue Ribbon Preseason All-SEC Team
Four members of the University of Georgia football team have been named to the 2010 Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason All-SEC Team. Junior receiver A.J. Green and senior tackle Clint Boling were among the offensive selections while junior kicker Blair Walsh and junior punter Drew Butler were named All-SEC specialists.Georgia is one of two teams with at least four players honored by the preseason publication; Alabama has six players represented on the all-conference team.Green was a semifinalist for last year’s Biletnikoff Award after earning All-SEC First Team honors. In just 10 games in 2009, Green hauled in a team-leading 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked second in the league in both receptions per game (5.3) and receiving yards per game (80.8). Boling started all 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2009 and was named All-SEC by the Associated Press, Sporting News and Phil Steele. He earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after helping the Bulldogs tally 41 points in the win against South Carolina.Walsh was one of three finalists for the 2009 Lou Groza Award given to the nation’s top placekicker. Highlighted by a 37-yard game winner against Arizona State, Walsh drilled 20 of 22 field goal attempts (90.9 percent, No. 2 in school history for field goal accuracy in a single season) in 2009. He connected on 11 of 12 kicks from 40 yards or longer and had a career-long field goal of 53 yards against Oklahoma State. Walsh is also 92-for-92 in PATs for his career.Butler was awarded the 2009 Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. The consensus First Team All-American posted a national-best 48.1 yards per punt average, becoming only the third Bulldog in school history to lead the NCAA in punting. In just his first season as a starter, Butler had 24 punts of 50 yards or more.
Ole Miss Rebel Trio Distinguished All-SEC By Lindy's
Ole Miss' Kentrell Lockett, Bobby Massie and Jerrell Powe received preseason All-SEC honors in Lindy's college football preview, which also praised the Rebels' recruiting efforts.Lockett, a senior defensive end from Hahnville, La., was named first team all-conference, while Massie, a sophomore offensive tackle, and Powe, a senior defensive tackle, made the second team.
Powe, who has earned All-America accolades from multiple media outlets this summer, was chosen by Lindy's as the nation's No. 5 DT and the No. 8 NFL talent in the SEC. A ranking by NFLDraftScout.com in the publication also tabbed him as the 15th-best senior pro prospect.
While Lindy's listed Powe as the Rebels' MVP, it labeled senior receiver Markeith Summers as the team's "Rising Star," and junior college transfer DE Wayne Dorsey as Ole Miss' "Top Newcomer." Lockett, Powe and Dorsey help form the SEC's No. 3 defensive line, according to Lindy's.
Using the expertise of Rivals.com, the publication named Ole Miss college football's No. 19 recruiting school over the past three years and rated the signing class of 2010 No. 18. Highlighted by Randall Mackey, the Rebels' 2010 class boasts a group of athletes tied for fifth in the nation, while Dorsey keys a corps of incoming defensive linemen that ranks sixth.
Apopka, FL RB Tom Smith commits to Tennessee during recruiting trip
Apopka running back Tom Smith committed to the University of Tenessee during a two-day trip to Knoxville with teammates Spencer Waseem and Keon Brooks."It feels good. I like everything about it, especially the coaching staff, they're amazing," Smith said from his cell phone at the Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport where he was getting ready to fly back to Orlando. "Just being around here and around the players and I like the community ... just being around here is like being around family."Pittsburgh, Virginia and Northwestern were three of the schools high on his list, but Smith said it never came down to deciding between schools."Tennessee was just that much better. I had no idea I was going to commit," said Smith, who told his decision to new Vols' head coach Derek Dooley first.
"That's the reason why I made my decision," said Smith, who really liked the personable Dooley. "He was happy that I made that decision."Smith said he's solid UT committed, but also knows other schools will still come calling."I won't be mean or anything, Smith said. "I'll talk to them, but I'll tell them I'm all in with Tennessee."Last year, Smith ran for 1,163 regular-season yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns on 154 carries for the Apopka Blue Darters, a 6A state semifinalist in 2009.He was even more impressive in the playoffs and ballooned his stats to a season-ending 235 carries for 1,651 yards and 24 TDs and added 129 yards receiving and 100 yards passing.
"That's the reason why I made my decision," said Smith, who really liked the personable Dooley. "He was happy that I made that decision."Smith said he's solid UT committed, but also knows other schools will still come calling."I won't be mean or anything, Smith said. "I'll talk to them, but I'll tell them I'm all in with Tennessee."Last year, Smith ran for 1,163 regular-season yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns on 154 carries for the Apopka Blue Darters, a 6A state semifinalist in 2009.He was even more impressive in the playoffs and ballooned his stats to a season-ending 235 carries for 1,651 yards and 24 TDs and added 129 yards receiving and 100 yards passing.
Gamecocks Featured on National Television
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of South Carolina will play its first two football games of the 2010 season on national television, it was announced today.
The Gamecocks will open the season on Thursday, September 2 when they host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. That game will be televised nationally on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be the first meeting ever on the gridiron between the two squads. It will also mark the sixth straight season in which the Gamecocks will play a Thursday night contest on ESPN and the fifth time in the six years under head coach Steve Spurrier that Carolina opens its season on a Thursday night. The Gamecocks are a perfect 4-0 in season openers on Thursdays under Coach Spurrier.
Carolina will open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, September 11, when the Gamecocks entertain the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. That contest will be televised nationally on either ESPN or ESPN2 with kick time slated for Noon ET. The Bulldogs hold a 46-14-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a wild 41-37 win in Athens last season. The Gamecocks are 7-19-2 when hosting the Bulldogs in Columbia.
The Gamecocks will open the season on Thursday, September 2 when they host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. That game will be televised nationally on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be the first meeting ever on the gridiron between the two squads. It will also mark the sixth straight season in which the Gamecocks will play a Thursday night contest on ESPN and the fifth time in the six years under head coach Steve Spurrier that Carolina opens its season on a Thursday night. The Gamecocks are a perfect 4-0 in season openers on Thursdays under Coach Spurrier.
Carolina will open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, September 11, when the Gamecocks entertain the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. That contest will be televised nationally on either ESPN or ESPN2 with kick time slated for Noon ET. The Bulldogs hold a 46-14-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a wild 41-37 win in Athens last season. The Gamecocks are 7-19-2 when hosting the Bulldogs in Columbia.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Texas committed to 10-team Big 12...What is Next...the SEC
Orangebloods.com, the Rivals site for the University of Texas, reports today that the Longhorns have been convinced by Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe to salvage the conference. Texas has appeared headed to the Pac-10 with most of the Big 12 South. The site said Texas officials are expected to announce as early as today the school's plan to remain in the Big 12, or whatever you'd call it now with 10 teams instead of 12.Then again, ESPN.com reports today the departure of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent. One source told ESPN.com that Beebe's plan to save the Big 12 has "zero" chance to succeed.
So depending on your preferred choice of reading this morning, Texas is either committed to staying in the Big 12 or already out the door. That nicely sums up the rapid-fire progression of this ongoing expansion saga.
Could politics be involved in this? Absolutely. An announcement, or suggestion, by Texas that it's staying would presumably place the onus on Texas A&M. Do the Aggies jump to the SEC, or keep their roughly 100-year-old rivalry with Texas by staying in the Big 12? The Birmingham News previously reported that Texas A&M has the necessary votes from its board of regents to join the SEC.
Orangebloods.com suggests that if Texas A&M leaves for the SEC, it will trigger an exodus West for the Pac-10 by Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and possibly Kansas. If the Big 12 doesn't dissolve, the Pac-10 might simply add Utah and the seismic changes expected in conference realignment could subside, at least for now.
So depending on your preferred choice of reading this morning, Texas is either committed to staying in the Big 12 or already out the door. That nicely sums up the rapid-fire progression of this ongoing expansion saga.
Could politics be involved in this? Absolutely. An announcement, or suggestion, by Texas that it's staying would presumably place the onus on Texas A&M. Do the Aggies jump to the SEC, or keep their roughly 100-year-old rivalry with Texas by staying in the Big 12? The Birmingham News previously reported that Texas A&M has the necessary votes from its board of regents to join the SEC.
Orangebloods.com suggests that if Texas A&M leaves for the SEC, it will trigger an exodus West for the Pac-10 by Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and possibly Kansas. If the Big 12 doesn't dissolve, the Pac-10 might simply add Utah and the seismic changes expected in conference realignment could subside, at least for now.
Razorback Stumon hit with drunk-driving charge
Authorities say Arkansas fullback Van Stumon has been charged with drunken driving and other offenses after an early morning traffic stop in Fayetteville.
The 22-year-old Stumon was arrested Saturday, booked into the Washington County Jail and released later in the morning on $1,200 bond.
A police report said Stumon was pulled over about 2:20 a.m. after officers saw him make an improper turn, drive over a curb into a parking lot and park his car erratically. According to the report, Stumon failed a field sobriety test and registered 0.10 percent on a blood-alcohol test.
He was charged with DWI, careless driving, making an improper U-turn and making an improper lane change. He is scheduled to appear July 16 in Fayetteville District Court.
Zack Higbee, a spokesman for the Arkansas athletics program, said coach Bobby Petrino is handling the matter.
The 22-year-old Stumon was arrested Saturday, booked into the Washington County Jail and released later in the morning on $1,200 bond.
A police report said Stumon was pulled over about 2:20 a.m. after officers saw him make an improper turn, drive over a curb into a parking lot and park his car erratically. According to the report, Stumon failed a field sobriety test and registered 0.10 percent on a blood-alcohol test.
He was charged with DWI, careless driving, making an improper U-turn and making an improper lane change. He is scheduled to appear July 16 in Fayetteville District Court.
Zack Higbee, a spokesman for the Arkansas athletics program, said coach Bobby Petrino is handling the matter.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Florida Gators wide receiver Frankie Hammond arrested, charged with DUI
GAINESVILLE – University police arrested Frankie Hammond early Sunday morning on DUI and liquor possession charges after the Florida wide receiver was allegedly speeding, swerving and driving with open bottles of Crown Royal whiskey in his car.Hammond, 20, who could be released from jail after today's appearance in front of a judge, has been suspended from all team activities, according to team spokesman Steve McClain.UPD officer Samuel Delucca detected Hammond driving faster than 45 miles per hour in a 20-mph zone while swerving on Gale Lemerand Drive on the UF campus at 2:09 a.m., according to a police report provided by Alachua County Sheriff's Office.The "uncoordinated" Hammond – with slurred speech, bloodshot and "glassy" eyes -- failed his sobriety field tests and registered breath samples of 0.188 and 0.191, according to the report. The legal limit for blood alcohol content is 0.08.
UF spokesman Steve McClain has informed the Sentinel that Hammond has been suspended from all team activities.
UF spokesman Steve McClain has informed the Sentinel that Hammond has been suspended from all team activities.
A and M regents have votes for move to SEC
On the same day that Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott made visits to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, rumors were flying around the Twitterverse that SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station.
It appears, based on at least one report, that the rumors of Slive's location may indeed have some validity to them.
According to Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, the same writer that first busted open the expansion floodgates with his report on Pac-10 interest in a half-dozen Big 12 schools, "Texas A&M regents have the votes to join the SEC and could announce that move as early as next week."
One of those regents, former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings, has spent the past couple of days heavily intimating that he is pushing for an A&M move to the SEC. U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, an Aggie alum, was quoted as saying he preferred his school to move to the SEC as well.
If A&M winds up in the SEC, that would open up a spot for either Kansas or Utah to join Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Pac-10.
It appears, based on at least one report, that the rumors of Slive's location may indeed have some validity to them.
According to Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, the same writer that first busted open the expansion floodgates with his report on Pac-10 interest in a half-dozen Big 12 schools, "Texas A&M regents have the votes to join the SEC and could announce that move as early as next week."
One of those regents, former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings, has spent the past couple of days heavily intimating that he is pushing for an A&M move to the SEC. U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, an Aggie alum, was quoted as saying he preferred his school to move to the SEC as well.
If A&M winds up in the SEC, that would open up a spot for either Kansas or Utah to join Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Pac-10.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Alabama denies claim of illegal contact with USC player
Alabama is denying claims that the school illegally contacted a Southern Cal player in the wake of sanctions handed down by the NCAA. UA spokesman Jeff Purinton refuted the report Friday night and said no one from the Crimson Tide had contacted Baxter. Florida, Oregon and Washington have made similar denials to the ESPN.com story. A letter written by Southern Cal director of compliance Matt Billings to Pac-10 Associate Commissioner Ron Barker and obtained by ESPN.com named the five schools. The letter was reported to state, "I just met with Baxter and he told me that he received phone calls from five institutions. All of the institutions asked if he was interested in transferring from USC due to the NCAA decision. Would you please speak with these schools to remind them they cannot speak to this student athlete?" Baxter, who hails from San Diego, Calif., was considered one of the nation's top-rated high school prospects last season. He committed to Southern Cal in November, choosing the Trojans over a reported offer list that included Florida, Michigan and Oregon but not Alabama. As for the NCAA sanctions that included a two-year postseason ban, Southern Cal's juniors and seniors would be allowed to transfer without sitting out a year, but the rule does not apply to incoming freshmen.
Gators' Jeff Demps wins NCAA 100-meter title
Florida sophomore sprinter Jeff Demps won the 2010 NCAA 100-meter championship on Friday with a time of 9.96 (+2.5) at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.Demps, who is the 2010 NCAA Indoor 60-meter champion, claimed the school’s first 100-meter title since Bernard Williams won in 2000. Demps' time of 9.96 would have been a new school record had the race not been heavily wind-aided (+2.5). It marked the first time in his career he has run sub-10 seconds.“It was a great race today,” Demps said. “I executed well and came out with the win. I know my team needed the points and I just came out to get the 10 points to try to help us win the team title.”Florida coach Urban Meyer was among the first to congratulate Demps, who is also the Gators starting running back, in a Twitter message early Friday evening.
Five schools, including 'Bama, Gators, illegally contacted USC freshman
According to a series of tweets from ESPN.com's Joe Schad, Baxter informed his school's compliance department, that five schools illegally contacted him on June 10. The same day USC was slapped with heavy NCAA sanctions, incidentally.
The five schools are Fresno State, Oregon, Washington and Alabama and Florida.
Bryan Fischer of USC's Rivals.com site reports that, when a player from a school under a bowl ban is looking to transfer, "the athlete's institution must be notified of the recruitment and may establish reasonable restrictions." Fischer notes that the permission does not need to be in writing but needs to be made in some form, and that could be the issue in this situation.
USC has asked the Pac-10 to contact those schools accused of allegedly illegally contacting Baxter.
Shortly after the Schad's report came out, a Florida spokesperson denied any impropriety to the Orlando Sentinel. Neither Alabama nor any of the other schools named have issued denials as of this posting.
Friday, June 11, 2010
USC's sanctions generating buzz on the web
Southern California football coach Lane Kiffin pauses after a meeting of USC football players, Thursday, June 10, 2010, in Los Angeles. The NCAA threw the book at USC on Thursday with a two-year bowl ban, four years' probation, loss of scholarships and forfeits of an entire year's games for improper benefits to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush dating to the Trojans' 2004 national championship. The punishment against USC generated widespread comments Here's a sample...On USC's YouTube channel: USC to Appeal NCAA Ruling: Penalties too severe for infractions alleged.
ESPN posted:
Kiffin, Trojans stay positive. Also posted at bleacher report: Lane Kiffin, USC, and Probation: A Marriage Made in Heaven.
The Orlando Sentinel's College Gridiron 365 blog posted : USC sanctions leave Lane Kiffin in a quagmire
On freep.com: What the USC-NCAA situation means for Michigan
Rumors of SEC invite for Hokies are 'all rubbish'
There apparently was a report, from an Atlanta radio station, stating that the SEC had issued unconditional invitations to both Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
The Hokies, however, did not appreciate the talk and quickly looked to shoot down the rumors of a move from the ACC.
"All rubbish," Larry Hincker, a spokesman for Tech president Charles Steger, told the Newport News Daily Press. "There's been zero discussion among university leaders on topic. Just not on radar."
"At no time has the Southeastern Conference approached Virginia Tech," athletic director Jim Weaver said.
Weaver went on to add that he personally believes the ACC will come out of all of this conference realignment unscathed and remain at 12 teams, but did say that he's "somewhat shocked" at how the collegiate landscape is being altered through expansion.
We at SEC Football Online, tend to agree with Weaver, that the ACC will come out of all this intact , as long as the Pac-10 and Big Ten do not go to 16 teams each. If those two league do reach "super-conference" status, the SEC would almost be forced to keep up by adding schools.
Where would they look, if they would have to look? The obvious options would include Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech , all ACC schools.
The Hokies, however, did not appreciate the talk and quickly looked to shoot down the rumors of a move from the ACC.
"All rubbish," Larry Hincker, a spokesman for Tech president Charles Steger, told the Newport News Daily Press. "There's been zero discussion among university leaders on topic. Just not on radar."
"At no time has the Southeastern Conference approached Virginia Tech," athletic director Jim Weaver said.
Weaver went on to add that he personally believes the ACC will come out of all of this conference realignment unscathed and remain at 12 teams, but did say that he's "somewhat shocked" at how the collegiate landscape is being altered through expansion.
We at SEC Football Online, tend to agree with Weaver, that the ACC will come out of all this intact , as long as the Pac-10 and Big Ten do not go to 16 teams each. If those two league do reach "super-conference" status, the SEC would almost be forced to keep up by adding schools.
Where would they look, if they would have to look? The obvious options would include Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech , all ACC schools.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Arkansas' Mallett undergoes medical procedure on injured foot
In February, Ryan Mallett suffered a break in his left foot during a winter conditioning drill and was expected to miss three months while he rehabilitated the injury.
While not unexpectedly missing spring practices, the Arkansas quarterback was reportedly ready to resume throwing all of the requisite throws earlier this month.
Wednesday evening brings word that the potential Heisman Trophy candidate underwent an "anticipated" medical procedure on his injured foot earlier today.
"Ryan Mallett underwent a procedure Wednesday evening to replace a screw in his left foot," head coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement issued by the school. "We fully anticipated this would need to be done in early to mid-June and the timing of it was intentional to allow him to prepare for the season as much as possible during the summer months.
"He will be non-weight bearing for the next two weeks and I expect Ryan to return fully after that time period. I am completely confident in our athletic trainers and medical staff and the plan they have put in place for Ryan."
What is up with this "anticipated" procedure that hasn't previously been reported.
As for Mallett's scheduled Manning Academy appearance that remains to be seen.
While not unexpectedly missing spring practices, the Arkansas quarterback was reportedly ready to resume throwing all of the requisite throws earlier this month.
Wednesday evening brings word that the potential Heisman Trophy candidate underwent an "anticipated" medical procedure on his injured foot earlier today.
"Ryan Mallett underwent a procedure Wednesday evening to replace a screw in his left foot," head coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement issued by the school. "We fully anticipated this would need to be done in early to mid-June and the timing of it was intentional to allow him to prepare for the season as much as possible during the summer months.
"He will be non-weight bearing for the next two weeks and I expect Ryan to return fully after that time period. I am completely confident in our athletic trainers and medical staff and the plan they have put in place for Ryan."
What is up with this "anticipated" procedure that hasn't previously been reported.
As for Mallett's scheduled Manning Academy appearance that remains to be seen.
Texas A and M petitioning Big Ten for an invite... Sooners for SEC..what's Next
KCTV5 in Kansas City is reporting that Texas and Texas A&M have petitioned the Big Ten for membership.
The station reports that there has already been communication between the sides involved and that an agreement could be made as early as Thursday.
On top of that, the station is reporting that Oklahoma is working on petitioning the SEC for an invitation. The snag, the station reports, is that the Sooners would need to find a partner to bring along to keep the conference at an even number of teams.
The station reports that there has already been communication between the sides involved and that an agreement could be made as early as Thursday.
On top of that, the station is reporting that Oklahoma is working on petitioning the SEC for an invitation. The snag, the station reports, is that the Sooners would need to find a partner to bring along to keep the conference at an even number of teams.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hunter set to make jump to Vols
Justin Hunter is ready to leap headfirst into college and get started with Tennessee - and two teams will be anxiously awaiting his arrival next month.
The highly touted receiver has been expected to provide a major boost for the football Vols since signing with Derek Dooley in February, but the biggest beneficiary might be the track team based on one final prolific meet for Ocean Lakes (Va.) High School last weekend. Hunter wrapped up his prep career by sweeping the long, high and triple jump titles to lead the Dolphins to the Group AAA state championship, and his marks might not have been the most impressive part of the performance.
"I was dealing with like a foot injury, tightness in my right foot, so the long jump was like a one-and-done jump," Hunter said Monday. "I had a little bit of a trouble in the high jump, then the winning jump came out of nowhere. In the triple, my third jump I was just trying to make it to the finals and I ended up winning.
"The foot was just something nagging. It's all good, though."
It obviously wasn't bad enough to keep him from setting a meet record in the long jump at 25 feet, 8 3/4 inches, clearing 7 feet in the high jump or rebounding from a rough start to complete the trifecta with a triple jump of 50-8 1/4 on Saturday.
Hunter also isn't expecting the foot to limit him when he arrives on campus July 5 for summer school and starts to turn his attention to football, where Dooley can surely use his athleticism on offense.
The highly touted receiver has been expected to provide a major boost for the football Vols since signing with Derek Dooley in February, but the biggest beneficiary might be the track team based on one final prolific meet for Ocean Lakes (Va.) High School last weekend. Hunter wrapped up his prep career by sweeping the long, high and triple jump titles to lead the Dolphins to the Group AAA state championship, and his marks might not have been the most impressive part of the performance.
"I was dealing with like a foot injury, tightness in my right foot, so the long jump was like a one-and-done jump," Hunter said Monday. "I had a little bit of a trouble in the high jump, then the winning jump came out of nowhere. In the triple, my third jump I was just trying to make it to the finals and I ended up winning.
"The foot was just something nagging. It's all good, though."
It obviously wasn't bad enough to keep him from setting a meet record in the long jump at 25 feet, 8 3/4 inches, clearing 7 feet in the high jump or rebounding from a rough start to complete the trifecta with a triple jump of 50-8 1/4 on Saturday.
Hunter also isn't expecting the foot to limit him when he arrives on campus July 5 for summer school and starts to turn his attention to football, where Dooley can surely use his athleticism on offense.
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