The Wiz of Odds

Carr Had a Big Hand in Seminoles' Victory

Lanky Florida State receiver Greg Carr also had a spectacular catch, one that rivaled Hakeem Nicks' snag against West Virginia. The 6-foot-6 senior pulls in a touchdown pass against Wisconsin with his right hand.

Reporters Notebooks

Brian Dohn, Los Angeles Daily News: UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker has emerged as the leading candidate for the New Mexico State head coaching job. He will meet with administrators and tour the campus on Monday.

George Alfano, Philadelphia Daily News: Penn State's Joe Paterno still hasn't decided whether he'll coach from the sideline in the Rose Bowl. "The biggest thing is that I don't want to be a distraction or have people worry about me. The other question is standing 3.5 hours. I want to be careful."

Scott Wright, Oklahoman: Coaches and players from Oklahoma State and Oregon are expressing concern over the condition of the grass surface at Qualcomm Stadium, site of the Holiday Bowl. Recent rains and three games in eight days could leave the field soggy and slippery.

Dick Harmon, Deseret News: The spread offense is coming to the Mountain West Conference in a big way. Wyoming, New Mexico and San Diego State all hired coaches who will be running the spread in 2009.

Lya Wodraska, Salt Lake Tribune: Utah could lose as much as $405,000 if it has to cover the loss of 3,000 Sugar Bowl tickets.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa and South Carolina players and coaches at the Outback Steakhouse welcome dinner consumed 950 pounds of bloomin' onions.

Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post: Howard Schnellenberger is now 6-0 in bowl games after leading Florida Atlantic past Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl.

Joe Paterno Pays a Visit to the Happiest Place on Earth

Players and coaches from Penn State and USC kicked off Rose Bowl festivities on Friday with a trip to Disneyland. Joe Paterno didn't have much to say, but the Nittany Lion coach, who walked onstage without a cane, drew laughs with his brief comments. Thanks to Adam Rose of All Things Trojan.

Reporters Notebooks

Sal Interdonato, Middletown Times Herald-Record: Army has hired Rich Ellerson of Cal Poly as its coach.

Matt Hinton, Dr. Saturday: More trouble at Indiana, where four players are alleged to be involved in a robbery case.

Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald: Long snapper Chris Ivory became the fifth Miami player to be suspended for the Emerald Bowl.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: The Hawaii Bowl drew a record 43,487, but coming up with an encore will be difficult because of a tie-in with the Pacific 10 Conference and the hometown Warriors' increasingly difficult nonconference schedule.

Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: New Washington coach Steve Sarkisian might be rethinking some of the scholarship offers made by the previous coaching staff.

How Oklahoma Scored Deep in the Heart of Texas

A terrific piece by Thayer Evans of the New York Times, who gained exclusive access to the recruitment of Jamarkus McFarland, a top defensive tackle prospect from Lufkin, Texas.

McFarland visited Texas, Oklahoma, USC and Louisiana State before selecting the Sooners on Thursday. The recruiting process was paved with an offer for an interest-free loan for his mother, a wild party in Dallas where "girls were acting wild by taking off their tops and pulling down their pants," a ride in a Hummer stretch limousine, a meeting with a university president and recruiting hostesses sitting on the laps of prospects.

Join the Conversation Tonight on Sports Byline

A reminder to join me Friday at midnight (Pacific) on "Sports Overnight America," heard only on the Sports Byline USA Radio Network.

Listen to the Internet stream of the broadcast by clicking here and join the conversation by calling 800-878-7529. The bowl season is about to kick into high gear and we have plenty to talk about.

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