Edward G. Robinson III, Raleigh News & Observer: The H1N1 virus, more infamously known as "swine flu," has stricken nearly half of Duke's players since the start of practice a week ago. The school isn't identifying the players affected but said the symptoms have been mild and that some of the players have already returned to practice.
Joe Hermitt, Patriot-News: The power of a telephoto lens brings this question: What's up with Joe Paterno's front teeth?
Associated Press: Times are tough at New Mexico State. The Aggies are asking fans to donate after-practice or late-night snacks for hungry players. Officials say the move was necessary after the athletic department had to trim $1.5 million from its budget.
Stewart Mandel, SI.com: The Big Ten, which is losing its tie to the Alamo Bowl, could be ready to strike a deal with the Gator Bowl.
Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Gator Bowl is no great get for the Big Ten.
Keith Sargeant, Scarlet Scuttlebutt: Rutgers coach Greg Schiano challenged starting right tackle Kevin Haslam to a push-up duel during practice. The winner? It wasn't even close.
Brad Rock, Deseret News: Brigham Young's new media restrictions
include this: "In an effort to avoid speculation and incorrect
information, do not report on injuries or players absent from practice,
including via text messaging or other instantaneous means, until Coach
[Bronco] Mendenhall or the Athletic Communications office provides the
information."
Glenn Guilbeau, LSU Beat: Louisiana State's Les Miles is considering closing practices completely to the media for most or all of this season because of the amount of injury information that has been reported in the past.
Ben Volin, Gator Bytes: Enjoy it now, Florida fans. The 2009 season will be the end of an era for Gator football because the roster is loaded with seniors and several underclassmen who are expected to declare for the NFL draft.
Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Sales of season tickets at Hawaii are down by about 15%.
Scott Wolf, Los Angeles Daily News: Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who could be USC's starter in the opener against San Jose State, had three passes intercepted during a Thursday practice.
Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News: It's a good thing for Rick Pitino that Robert Witt is the president of the University of Alabama and not the University of Louisville.
Ryan Kartje, The Diag: If Rich Rodriguez is wrongfully fired after this season, it may be because of the whispers that haven't stopped since Justin Boren's supposed deterioration of "family values" in Rich Rod's camp. Athletic director Bill Martin hears the whispers. So does university president Mary Sue Coleman. And the media is doing a hell of a job at making them louder as of late. And that makes these rumblings worse and more dangerous than banter about only wins and losses.
Dick Jeradi, Philadelphia Daily News: Delaware is betting that its sportsbook operations will be a huge success. There are 30 million people within a three-hour drive of the First State.
Associated Press: Middle Tennessee offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, on his brief stay at Auburn: "I think you are a huge liar if you say things do not bother you when something like that happens. But when you say Auburn, that would mean everybody in Auburn. And the answer would be no. Are there people there that will not be coming to my birthday party and I am not going to invite? There are a lot of them, but there are also a lot that will not invite me."
Jon Wilner, College Sports Hotline: The five most embarrassingly soft schedules. Congratulations Penn State, you're No. 1.
Knoxville News-Sentinel: Phillip Fulmer has a new job. The former Tennessee coach will be a studio analyst this fall for CBS College Sports Network.
Gentry Estes, Mobile Press-Register: Former Alabama linebacker Ezekial Knight, who suffered a stroke in January 2008, has been cleared to resume his playing career at Division II Stillman College.
Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State's coaching staff is in no mood for mandated furlough days.
John Hunt, Oregonian: Oregon and Nevada agreed to play a game in 2011.
Oklahoman: The NCAA is investigating whether Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun participated in a semi-professional league after his 21st birthday.
Suzanne Halliburton, Bevo Beat: Tight end D.J. Grant is out for the season after tearing multiple ligaments in his right knee. He’s the third Texas tight end to be lost for the season.
Ken Tysiac, Raleigh News & Observer: Linebacker Nate Irving will not play this season for North Carolina State because of injuries suffered in a June 28 car crash.
J.P. Giglio and Ken Tysiac, Raleigh News & Observer: North Carolina offensive tackle Carl Gaskins tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during practice and is out for the season.
Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register: Iowa cornerback Jordan Bernstine will miss the upcoming season after sustaining an ankle injury during practice.
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New Mexico State has no business literally competing in Division I-A. Get rid of these programs now.
Posted by: bevo | August 15, 2009 at 09:13 PM