UK's Glenn Faulkner pulling cram sessions

Even though school is not in session for another 17 days, freshman Glenn Faulkner is getting in his fair share of cram sessions. Perhaps Kentucky's most highly touted freshman, Faulkner spent the summer getting over a few eligibility hurdles instead of being able to study co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter's complex defensive scheme. So the safety from East Saint Louis, Ill., has had less time to immerse himself in the system. But he doesn't expect it to slow him down."It's kind of been difficult, but my teammates and coaching staff have really been helping me catch up," Faulkner said at UK's Media Day on Friday morning. Faulkner said he considers himself a student of the game and hopes that will help him get acclimated faster. "I'm a thinker," he said. "I'm a thinker on the field." Coach Joker Phillips agreed with Faulkner's self evaluation. "We think he's a smart kid," Phillips said. "He's been in the film room a couple days that he's been here trying to learn. Same thing when he came here for the spring game. He's a guy that really loves to play the game, so we're excited about him."

South Carolina lineman sent to hospital for heat-related illness

According to the Charlotte Observer and other media outlets, freshman offensive tackle Brandon Shell was hospitalized yesterday for a heat-related illness. Team medical staff tended to Shell on the practice field before he was transported to the local hospital. The team was practicing in helmets and pads.

The good news, though, is that Shell appears to be okay as he returned to team meetings later that afternoon.

Charges against Vols linebacker dropped

Tennessee linebacker Austin Johnson has already been cleared by Vols coach Derek Dooley to practice with the team following a July 24th arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. It now appears the charges against Johnson are being dropped as well.

According to GoVolsXtra.com, Johnson has only been required to pay undisclosed court costs; his “punishment” is being handled internally.

“If we could go back three days and just erase everything that the media outlets wrote, it’d be great news but we can’t do that,” Dooley said.

“I should have never put myself in that situation,” Johnson added. “I should have never been out that late. I’m extremely embarrassed. I embarrassed my team, I embarrassed the fans, I embarrassed my family and I embarrassed my coaches. I’ve learned from my mistakes.

“I plan to move forward and become a better person from this.”

Crimson Tide defensive tackle transferring

Alabama defensive tackle Darrington Sentimore is transferring to a junior college.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College defensive coordinator Steve Davis said Thursday that Sentimore is set to report early next week.

Sentimore is the seventh Crimson Tide player to leave the program since last season. He was indefinitely suspended for unspecified violation of team rules in June.

LSU Tigers report minus recruits Mickey Johnson, Alonzo Lewis

The LSU football team reported for fall practice on Wednesday minus a few expected players. St. Paul's defensive tackle Mickey Johnson was one of two incoming recruits who did not arrive on the first day, which is largely comprised of meetings, physicals and other administrative functions. Johnson is going through the NCAA Clearinghouse process to confirm his academic eligibility and has not been cleared, LSU Coach Les Miles told the media Wednesday. "We expect that he will clear," Miles said. "It's just a time issue. That being said, he might join us in August just before school starts. The other missing recruit is wide receiver Alonzo Lewis of St. James. Miles said Lewis "would not be with us and may go the junior college route. We will still very much follow him." The only other no show was junior guard Josh Williford, who had two deaths in his family in a 48-hour span. Williford, who is from Dothan, Ala., is expected to join the team later in the month.

One player who will be in camp is junior wide receiver Russell Shepard, whose is involved with an off-campus housing issue. Miles has said in the past he didn't expect it to be a problem and the matter is still being handled internally.

Georgia wide receiver cited by police but avoids arrest

Israel Troupe, a senior wide receiver from Tifton, failed to appear in Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court on Tuesday on a charge of urinating in public. However, court officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Troupe showed up and paid his fine on Wednesday and his case is now closed.

Troupe was fined $210 and paid a $50 late fee, a court clerk said. Records show he was issued a citation for public urination by Athens-Clarke County Police on April 9, 2011. He was not arrested at that time, however, so no incident report was filed. The Bulldogs would have been in the midst of spring practice.

At this point is still not known whether Troupe, a backup split end, will miss any playing time as a result. UGA spokesperson Claude Felton said head coach Mark Richt “is aware of the situation” but could not say what, if any, disciplinary measures have been applied.

Currently running back Carlton Thomas is the only player known to be missing the Sept. 3 season opener against Boise State. for disciplinary reasons. Thomas was suspended one game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Tide transfer Duron Carter not eligible to practice

Tide head coach Nick Saban said that Carter will remain academically ineligible until the school receives additional information on his grades, presumably from the junior college he attended after leaving Ohio State last year.

“Duron Carter, we do not have all of his information for all of his grades,” Saban said according to the Birmingham News. “Until we get that information, even though he’s here he is not eligible to be at practice or be at camp. When we get that information if it’s all what it’s supposed to be then he’ll be able to practice.”

Academic issues, however, aren’t exactly new to Carter. The receiver was ruled ineligible for OSU’s appearance in the 2010 Rose Bowl, and those same issues prompted him to transfer to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in June of last year.

LSU's Kragthorpe steps down

There was a major announcement from coach Les Miles following the morning workout. Steve Kragthorpe had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and gave up his responsibility of offensive coordinator.
Kragthorpe, who informed Miles' about his situation three weeks ago, will remain LSU's quarterbacks coach. Miles wanted to reduce the work load on Kragthorpe.
Miles promoted offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to the coordinator's position. Studrawa, who was the offensive coordinator from 2003-06 at Bowling Green, will remain as the offensive line coach.
"Unfortunately, this is not what we wanted," said Miles at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "This well could have been a curve ball. But, it was not. We have done as best we could have done. We have quickly adjusted responsibilities. We are hoping for uninterrupted leadership."

Georgia submits report about Jones to SEC

The eligibility status of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones is now in the hands of the SEC and eventually probably the NCAA.

Georgia has submitted its report to the SEC after doing its own investigation into Jones’ case. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has reported that police records show Tony Adams, who is Jones’ former AAU basketball coach, purchased plane tickets and perhaps a laptop for the player. That could be ruled an improper benefit, unless it is found that Jones had a long-standing, pre-existing relationship with Adams.

“The only thing I know is that we have submitted whatever we have found to the SEC offices, and we’re just kind of waiting,” head coach Mark Richt said. “That’s all I’m really allowed to say.”

The school declined to release the information it sent the SEC.

First pre-season ranking of MSU

Mississippi State will open the season ranked 20th in the USA Today coaches poll, as it was announced this morning.

This is the first preseason ranking for MSU in 10 years.

Six teams on MSU’s schedule are ranked in the poll: Alabama (2), LSU (4), South Carolina (12), Arkansas (14) and Auburn (19), Georgia (22). Eight teams from the SEC are in the poll. Oklahoma was No. 1.

The Bulldogs were ranked 17th in the final coaches poll of the 2010 season, which concluded with a 9-4 record after a 52-14 blow-out of Michigan in the Gator Bowl.

South Carolina's Jeffery sits out first practice

A couple of thousand fans decked out in garnet and black lined the Bluff Road practice field across from Williams-Brice Stadium on a hot, muggy Wednesday night to watch South Carolina open preseason camp for the 2011 football season with a spirited two-hour workout. The Gamecocks have high expectations after winning the SEC East and reaching the conference title game a year ago for the first time. They were the pick among the media and coaches to repeat as SEC East champions, a favorite spot they are not accustomed to having with Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the same division. "It was a pretty nice practice," said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who is entering his seventh year with the Gamecocks. "All of the coaches were really noticing the difference in our team speed. It was noticeable that our guys are faster than they've been before." South Carolina went 9-5 last year and lost its final two games, a humbling 56-17 setback to eventual national champion Auburn in the SEC title game and a 26-17 loss to Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Although, the Gamecocks have nearly all of their starters back on both sides of the ball, plus the nation's top recruit in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery missed the opening practice after being involved in a car accident on Tuesday. Spurrier said he is expected back in a couple of days. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was recently reinstated to the team after his fifth suspension and has started 28 straight games.

Spurrier said the fifth-year senior has done everything the university and coaches asked of him and has had a complete lifestyle change.

Good things remain the same for Boise vs Dawgs

The "staying the same" should translate to more winning, and that is good news for Boise St. fans and alums. Returning for the Broncos is quarterback Kellen Moore. Moore's 2010 stats were impressive. He had 35 touchdowns and only six interceptions, as he completed nearly 72 percent of his passes—the main reason he was a Heisman finalist. Titus Young and Austin Pettis may have taken their talents to the NFL, but running back Doug Martin is back and he should match the 1,260 rushing yards he totaled in 2010. Boise St. has always been able to put points on the board, but the defense was just as impressive in 2010. Playing an SEC contender like the University of Georgia will test any team, and Boise St. coach Chris Petersen hopes the eight starters returning on defense will be up to the challenge. Georgia thrashed Boise St. back in 2005, as D.J. Shockley torched the Broncos for five touchdown passes, but in an ironic twist, it's Georgia tha feels it has something to prove this time around.

"Boise State, is a big deal for us. The winningest college football team in America over the last 10 seasons, a team that, as you watch their film, you realize that they are a special football team," said Georgia coach Mark Richt .

Like last year, Boise State feels it must play a game like this each year to not only earn respect, but get a large paycheck.

"It's part that, it's a financial thing, playing a game like that because we need the money," Petersen said. "Part of it is that it's good for our program as well." In other words, Boise St. is really pointing to this game.

This game not only looks like it is good for both nationally respected football programs, but it should be good for fans that enjoy an important early season matchup with national championship ramifactions.

Rick Limpert

Vols' Austin Johnson sorry for 'embarrassment' of arrest

Austin Johnson called the 24 hours after his July arrest “something like a dream.”

The way the senior Tennessee linebacker described it after Tuesday’s practice, it safely could be classified as a nightmare for one of the Vols’ most respected leaders.

“I was sick to my stomach,” Johnson said in his first interview since the July 24 incident. “I was so embarrassed, I couldn't sleep at night, I couldn't eat.

“It wasn't the best time of my life and I let my family down … I let everyone down.”

Johnson was booked for public intoxication and disorderly conduct after an altercation with an unidentified male in the back parking lot of Tin Roof at 1915 Cumberland Ave. Johnson was also seen hitting vehicles, according to the police report.

Johnson, 22, said he wouldn’t discuss the details of the police report, but added that “some of the stuff that was said is not necessarily what I was doing.”

Gamecock's Mangus docked a month’s pay and more

South Carolina officially announced earlier Tuesday that quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus will be, as expected, fully reinstated to the football program Aug. 3 following an off-field incident last week. While he will be suspended for just one week, it will prove to be a suspension that is costly.
the school revealed that Mangus will be docked an amount equaling one month of his annual salary. Additionally, the release states, the assistant will be ineligible for compensation increases or bonuses for a period of one year. While the release doesn’t specify a dollar amount, the total hit could easily approach, or exceed depending on how successful the Gamecocks are this season, the $50,000 mark.
“We insist that those in the athletics department who work with our student-athletes on a daily basis are held to a higher standard of conduct,” said athletic director Eric Hyman in a statement. “G.A.’s lack of judgment did not reflect the character and integrity that we expect from our coaches.”

Georgia's fate lies with, which huge game, Boise State or South Carolina

After the first two games, the Bulldogs have the easiest schedule in the entire SEC, and it's not even close. Many figure that South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia are all talented enough to win the wide-open SEC Eastern Division. Although their talent levels may be similar, Florida and Tennessee have much tougher schedules. The Volunteers have to play at Alabama, LSU, and at Arkansas. The Gators have to play Alabama, at LSU, and at Auburn, in back-to-back-to-back weeks. Both South Carolina and Georgia miss out on the two best teams in the Nation, LSU and Alabama. However, the Gamecocks do have to travel to play at Arkansas and at Mississippi State.

That's why the second week game between Georgia and South Carolina will decide the SEC East. Then if Florida or Tennessee were in the shoes of Georgia, then the same would be said about them as well.

The Bulldogs catch a break, not having to play the three best teams in the SEC, and while the season opener against Boise State will mean a lot nationally, the game against South Carolina will decide the Bulldogs' overall fate for the 2011 season.

Gamecocks fully reinstate QB Stephen Garcia

Head coach Steve Spurrier confirmed to the Associated Press what he hinted at least week, that Garcia has been fully reinstated to the football program. Garcia had been suspended, his fifth suspension since joining the Gamecocks four years ago, since April following an alcohol-fueled incident at a university function.

He was partially reinstated in late May, and reports surfaced recently that one of the conditions of a return for Garcia was the quarterback successfully completing an outpatient alcohol treatment program. Apparently after completing that as well as complying with the other conditions set forth by the school, he’s back in the good graces of both his university and his coach.

“We think he’s going to do what’s right,” Spurrier said in a phone conversation with the AP. “Sometimes, it takes some guys a little longer, I guess.”

The Gamecocks will open summer camp Wednesday with Garcia, as well as quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus.

LSU sets season ticket sales record

LSU has sold out of season football tickets for the eighth-straight year and in the process set a new record for season ticket sales, assistant AD for ticket operations Brian Broussard announced on Monday.

LSU sold 68,772 season tickets for the 2011 home slate, bettering the school-record of 68,650 sold for the past three years. The capacity of Tiger Stadium recently increased to 92,542 due to the addition of some club level seats.

LSU has sold out of season tickets every year dating back to the 2004 season when 66,232 season tickets were sold the year following the Tigers' 2003 BCS National Championship. LSU sold 68,230 season tickets in 2007, 67,700 in 2006, and 66,300 in 2005.

"The demand for LSU football season tickets is stronger than ever," Broussard said. "The requests for LSU season tickets continue to be higher than the number of tickets that we have to offer. However, we will continue to try to find ways to help those fans who couldn't get season tickets with mini-plans or individual game tickets."

Vols expecting much better running game

"We definitely need the running game to win games," senior tailback Tauren Poole said. "We can't rely only on Tyler's little bitty arm to throw the ball every single play, even though he's talented enough. We're going to need to run the football." Last year the Vols were the SEC's worst rushing team. They averaged less than 2 yards per attempt in eight league games. Though the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Poole was one of just six players in the league to break the 1,000-yard mark and had solid games against Oregon (162 yards), LSU (109) and Alabama (117), he had his struggles. He rushed for a combined 96 yards in losses to Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. "Tauren is everything that you want in a player from his drive to be his best," UT coach Derek Dooley said. "I wish we had 100 Tauren Pooles,because of his commitment to the program and how he represents Tennessee. "He's got good size and speed for his position. He was inconsistent last year, [but] he was productive as a whole. He had some games where he was remarkable. He had other games where it was hard on him. I think a lot of things go into that. It was his first year playing. He wants to do well so bad; he wants to perform so well. It took him a while to get settled into the position."