Vols get offense, defense for 50-0

The Derek Dooley Era opened without a misfire Saturday night atNeylans Stadium.

An announced crowd of 99,123 approved of Tennessee’s 50-0 rout of UT Martin, but took it with a grain of salt – the Skyhawks were the Vols’ first non-FBS opponent since 1983. Tauren Poole ran for two touchdowns. David Oku and receiver Denarius Moore scored on long runs. Matt Simms found Moore for a 42-yard TD strike. Daniel Lincoln hit both field-goal tries, from 21 and 35 yards. The defense even pitched in, scoring UT’s final nine points on a safety and Prentiss Waggner’s 54-yard interception return. All told, the Vols (1-0) got a thorough tune-up for next week when Oregon - a 72-0 winner over New Mexico visits.

Jacksonville St. pulls off stunning 49-48 upset over Ole Miss in double overtime

Ole Miss opened up the second overtime against Jacksonville State with a 2-yard run from Enrique Davis. And then, Jacksonville State, an FCS team and massive underdog, pulled off a pair of improbable plays to deliver the biggest upset of the young 2010 season.

Down 48-41 in double overtime, Jacksonville State found itself in a fourth-and-long situation. After a few seconds of mad scrambling, quarterback Coty Blanchard flung the ball to Kevyn Cooper in the end zone, over 30 yards away. Cooper barely got one foot in bounds for the score.

Then, Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe elected to go for it all, calling a two-point conversion that paid off. And all of a sudden, Jacksonville State, ranked No. 17 in FCS, has pulled off a major upset of a storied football school, and in dramatic fashion.

Jeremiah Masoli made his much-anticipated debut for Mississippi after being cleared by the NCAA on Friday. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and one interception.

Ole Miss is 6-6 all-time in overtime games.

No joke Kentucky gets by Louisville 23-16 in Joker Phillips' Debut

Derrick Locke ran for two touchdowns and Kentucky held off rival Louisville 23-16 Saturday, keeping the Governor's Cup for the fourth straight season and making Joker Phillips victorious in a matchup of longtime friends debuting as head coaches. Phillips, who gained prominence as a coordinator of a record-breaking offense at his alma mater, has hinted this 2010 version could be as good as the Andre Woodson-led unit of three and four years ago. The Wildcats didn't disappoint in the opener, gobbling up yardage in bulk, particularly on the ground from Locke, who had 104 yards on 23 carries. Kentucky scored all but three of its points in the first half. Randall Cobb followed Locke's touchdown runs with a 51-yarder.

Bulldogs Open 2010 Season With Big Win

Aaron Murray passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in leading No. 23 Georgia to a 55-7 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. Despite the absence of top receiver A.J. Green, Murray completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards in his first college game. Kris Durham caught two TD passes. Murray ran four times for 41 yards. On a 16-yard scramble down the right sideline near the end of the first half, he reached out to hold the ball inside the front pylon for a 31-7 halftime lead. The 55 points was Georgia's highest since Nov. 6, 2004, when the Bulldogs won 62-17 at Kentucky. Georgia (1-0) visits South Carolina next week. Louisiana-Lafayette (0-1) scored on Chris Masson's 60-yard pass to Ladarius Green late in the second quarter.

Gator's begin Life after Tebow on a winning note

Janoris Jenkins returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown in the first half and Jeffery Demps rumbled 72 yards for a score in the fourth quarter, as fourth-ranked Florida began life without Tim Tebow and struggled to a 34-12 victory over Miami-Ohio at the Swamp. John Brantley started at quarterback following in the footsteps of Tebow, who helped the Gators to a pair of national championships in his standout career. Brantley completed 17-of-25 passes for just 113 yards with two touchdowns. Florida (1-0) put the game away with 13 points in the fourth quarter to earn its 21st straight season-opening win. Zac Dysert threw for 191 yards and was intercepted four times in defeat, as Miami-Ohio (0-1) kept it interesting into the fourth. After Trevor Cook's fourth field goal of the game, a 33-yarder with 13:24 to play, pulled Miami within 21-12, Demps took a handoff on the second play after the ensuing kickoff and raced 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Gators some much-needed breathing room.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com

Florida Gators QB John Brantley ready to start new era

Finally, Brantley's time has come. He described his anticipation as "exciting and nerve-wracking.'' "I just want to get those first-game jitters out of the way,'' Brantley said. "I think when I run on that field for the first time, again, I guess, as a starter, I think it's really going to sink in.'' Brantley will leave the screaming and fist-pumping and head-butting to other leaders on the team. Filling the void of Tebow's outspoken leadership skills will be safety Ahmad Black, offensive lineman Mike Pouncey and defensive end Justin Trattou. "When you don't have Tim Tebow running onto the field, everybody's going to expect, `Well, what's Johnny Brantley going to do?' '' Pouncey said. "They're two different-type players, and I think the way John Brantley plays is going to surprise a lot of people.''

Latest UGA arrest leads to another suspension

Alec Ogletree learned just how costly a $35 scooter helmet has become.

The freshman defensive back has been suspended for at least Georgia's season opener Saturday, head coach Mark Richt announced earlier Friday.

"Certainly it's an unfortunate sequence of events," Richt said in a statement. "I'm disappointed in the situation and will continue to gather information as the case is processed through the proper legal channels. In the meantime, Alec is still responsible for a poor decision and will serve a minimum one-game suspension as a result."

Ogletree, who was slated to see playing time against Louisiana-Lafayette tomorrow, turned himself in to police this afternoon on a redundant charge of "theft by taking". He has been accused of stealing a $35 scooter helmet belonging to an UGA track athlete, who decided to pursue the charge against the football player.

The highly-touted DB becomes the ninth UGA player/athletic director to be arrested in the last six months.

LSU offers scholarship to ex-UGA QB Mettenberger

According to KelinJohnson.com by way of MrSEC.com, Mettenberger has received a scholarship offer from LSU for the 2011 season. It's unclear if Mettenberger will accept the offer or continue the "recruiting" process through the remainder of the year.

Mettenberger was arrested in early March on various charges following an incident at a bar near Valdosta, GA. A month and a half after the arrest, he was dismissed from the football program. He ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery.

Masoli wins appeal, cleared to play for Ole Miss

In a statement released on their website, the NCAA announced that the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief has overturned the decision to deny Masoli's waiver and that the quarterback will be eligible to play immediately.

As in the release, the NCAA staff received the waiver request from Ole Miss on Aug. 13 and received the final piece of information from the school on the evening of Aug. 30. After considering that final piece of information, the NCAA staff issued its decision the morning of Aug. 31. The appeal decision was given three days later.

The successful appeal allows Masoli play in the Rebels' season opener against Jacksonville State. It's uncertain whether Masoli or Nathan Stanley will start Saturday, although Masoli is expected to be a major contributor to the offense whether he starts or not.

South Carolina Gamecocks roll 41-13

The Gamecocks are 1-0 to start 2010 after thumping Southern Miss 41-13 on Thursday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. Quarterback Stephen Garcia and tailback Marcus Lattimore each ran for two touchdown scores. Alshon Jeffery surpassed 100 yards receiving. "It was a good, solid game for us," Steve Spurrier said after the game. "It was a good opening win for us." Connor Shaw threw a late-game touchdown to D.L. Moore. The 41 points are USC's highest total since the 2006 Liberty Bowl. South Carolina hosts Georgia at noon on Sept. 11.

USC vs So. Miss scoring...Gamecocks' 41-13

Scoring plays

First quarter

USC - Stephen Garcia 22-yard touchdown run

SM - Danny Hrapmann 33-yard field goal

Second quarter

USC - Spencer Lanning 36-yard field goal

USC - Marcus Lattimore 3-yard touchdown run

USC - Marcus Lattimore 7-yard touchdown run

SM - Danny Hrapmann field goal

Third quarter

USC - Spencer Lanning 42-yard field goal

USC - Stephen Garcia 3-yard touchdown run

Fourth quarter

USC - D.L. Moore 15-yard TD catch from Connor Shaw

SM- So Miss gets a late TD from DeAndre Brown. Too late to make a difference as USC leads 41-13

Should the SEC Refs go back to Officiating School

Hopefully we do not begin where we left off last year with the horrendous calls. But, wait, in the second quarter of the Gamecocks' game, an obvious lateral was mis-called as a forward pass. This cost South Carolina great field position at the 2 yard line. So, here it starts a new season of SEC football and the calls that go with it. But all of this is the proverbial water over the dam, as of now USC leads 24-3.

Auburn Tigers' defensive line braces for experienced foes from Arkansas State

Arkansas State starts five senior offensive linemen, four of which are fifth-year players, including second-team All-Sun Belt pick Derek Newton at right tackle. "They’ve got a pretty good nucleus there," Auburn defensive line coach Tracy Rocker said. "I have no doubt we’re going to have our hands full with those guys. When you watch them on film, they’re sound, they get a hat for everybody and they’re well coached." While Auburn’s starting defensive front is comprised of seniors Antoine Carter, Michael Goggans and Zach Clayton and junior Nick Fairley, their backups are green. In addition to Whitaker, true freshmen Corey Lemonier, Craig Sanders and Kenneth Carter should get substantial playing time. Redshirt freshman Nosa Eguae will also be making his first appearance in a college game. "Hey, they’re going to have to play," Rocker said. "I don’t know when. All I want is that they’re prepared and ready to do what they need to do when they go out there. "The biggest thing is to understand that you’re going to make mistakes. Just play hard, and after that we can adjust and overcome the mistakes."

Upwards of 16 Tar Heels could be out for opener against LSU

ESPN.com's Joe Schad is reporting that the Tar Heels are preparing to play LSU Saturday night without up to 16 players due to dual NCAA investigations.

Upwards of seven starters on defense, along with the Tar Heels' top two running backs and their leading receiver, could find themselves banished come Saturday.

Defensive end Robert Quinn is being investigated by the NCAA, Schad reports, for both interaction with an agent and being involved in the academic aspect of the probe. Linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant and cornerbacks Kendric Burney and Charles Brown are among the fellow defensive starters who could find themselves suspended for at least the opener. While not mentioned by Schad in this report, safety Deunta Williams is another player who's name was brought up in the initial investigation.

Wide receiver Greg Little has been mentioned as a person of interest in the past and is still in danger of not making the trip to Atlanta Friday morning. Top backs Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston, whose name's have not been on the radar like the others, could also be sidelined.

In an attempt to ease the pain of losing a little over one-fifth of their 85-man roster, UNC, in conjunction with the NCAA, is exploring the possibility of "rolling suspensions" that would allow them to spread their losses over several games, Schad writes. With such a seemingly widespread problem, it would seem a little more than curious that the NCAA would do anything to help the Tar Heels weather the predicament they find themselves in.

The Tar Heels are scheduled to fly to Atlanta for the opener Friday morning, and the school hopes they have an answer one way or the other from the NCAA as to which players will need to be left behind.

Pair of Gamecocks sitting out opener

According to Travis Haney of the Charleston Post & Courier, cornerback Chris Culliver and offensive tackle Jarriel King will miss tonight's game. Joe Person of The State, citing a local radio station, tweets that the duo have been suspended.

Both players were mentioned in connection with one prong of the NCAA's investigation, the probe into several USC players living, and payment arrangements at a local hotel. There's no official word that's the reason for what's reported to be a suspension, nor is there any word on if the opener will be the only game the pair will miss.

NCAA SEC Football Betting – South Carolina Aiming For Big Season

The South Carolina Gamecocks are a program with tremendous attendance figures, a big stadium, SEC membership, and no championships. The team tries to reach the next level, beginning Thursday against Southern Mississippi.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles @ South Carolina Gamecocks

Thursday, September 2nd – 7:35 PM ET
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Broadcast: ESPN

NCAA Football Betting Odds: Southern Miss +14, South Carolina -14
Total: 47

It’s one of the more agonizing dry spells in all of college football: The South Carolina Gamecocks, year after year, fail to reach the next level. The team regularly draws more than 70,000 fans per home game and has one of the most loyal followings in the sport. The Gamecocks are overshadowed by Georgia and Florida and Alabama, but they’re not a particularly cash-strapped program, no more than most. Every once in a while, you’d think this team would be able to make a serious run at the SEC East crown, but that just hasn’t materialized in the Palmetto State. The last time South Carolina won a conference championship was 1969, in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Will the Gamecocks make noise this year? They start their 2010 campaign on Thursday at home against Southern Mississippi.

Gamecocks' Garcia receives the nod from Spurrier

Speaking on a conference call Wednesday morning, the South Carolina head coach confirmed that Garcia will be his starter at quarterback Thursday night when the Gamecocks open the 2010 season against Southern Miss.

Despite the pronouncement that Garcia had retained his job, Spurrier is still expected to play freshman Connor Shaw, who battled Garcia for the starting job throughout spring practice and into summer camp, in the opener and beyond.

Apart from the quarterback discussion, Spurrier also said on today's call that the school had yet to hear from the NCAA regarding its investigation into several members of the football program. It's already been announced by Spurrier that tight end Weslye Saunders will miss the opener due to an issue unrelated to the investigation, and there is still the possibility that at least a couple more Gamecocks could find themselves out in the cold.

Heart condition forces DL Lockett out of Ole Miss opener

Head coach Houston Nutt announced following practice yesterday that Lockett was currently at the Cleveland Clinic undergoing what team trainer Tim Mullins described as "a battery of tests" for "a rhythm problem that he started experiencing Saturday during the scrimmage."

"He has a little heartbeat out of rhythm right now and they are running test on him in Ohio," said Nutt. "But he will not be with us in Game One for sure. That was our captain. That was a blow."

The senior started all 13 games for the Rebels in 2009, totaling five sacks and ten tackles for for loss. He was named to the preseason All-SEC second team by the media back in July.