Reporters' Notebooks

Phil Stukenborg, Commercial Appeal: Sarah Thomas, a veteran Mississippi high school official, will become the first woman to work a Division I game Saturday night when she serves as the line judge in the Jacksonville State-Memphis game.

Dick Harmon, Deseret Morning News: The younger brother of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has purchased a movie theater in Orem, Utah, and will put the UCLA-Utah and Brigham Young-Tulsa games on the big screen for free. The parking lot will be converted to a tailgate lot.

Chuck Charlton, Dallas Morning News: Texas Christian was upset over playing a Thursday game. And after a 20-17 loss to Air Force, coach Gary Patterson was questioning a play call in overtime by offensive coordinator Mike Schultz.

Rick Maese, Baltimore Sun: While Maryland's 31-14 loss to West Virginia might have revealed shortcomings, this one didn't extinguish the Terrapins' spirits.

Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Advertiser: Even at the risk of incurring a 15-yard penalty, Hawaii has decided to perform the haka before Saturday's nonconference road game at Nevada Las Vegas.

Orlando Sentinel: Everything you could possibly want to know about Central Florida's new Bright House Networks Stadium, where the Knights will play host to Texas on Saturday.

Frank Dascenzo, Herald-Sun: Tough times in North Carolina, where the Tar Heels, North Carolina State, Wake Forest and Duke have combined for a 1-7 start.

Jenna Marina, Tampa Tribune: Has Florida coach Urban Meyer ever tried to steal signs from an opponent? "We always look. We don't video it. If we did, I wouldn't tell ya we do it," he joked.

Scott D. Pierce, Deseret Morning News: Versus, which broadcast the Brigham Young-UCLA and Wisconsin-Nevada Las Vegas games last Saturday, got surprisingly strong ratings.

Jere Longman, New York Times: It's Notre Dame versus Michigan. How bad are the Fighting Irish? "Notre Dame has got some problems," Penn State's Joe Paterno said. "They didn't challenge us, really.”

Tony Barnhart, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Five burning questions, including why Tennessee's Phil Fulmer needs a quality road win.

Ray Melick, Birmingham News: Former Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill has some advice for Auburn's Tommy Tuberville. "If [Brandon] Cox is the best quarterback you have, you better protect him. If your quarterback is getting sacked, it's either you're asking him to do things he can't do, or you're not protecting him, and that's the coach's fault."

Mike Baldwin, Oklahoman: Is Oklahoma State facing a must-win situation Friday night in the rain at Troy?

Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas receiver Tyrell Gatewood was jailed on two misdemeanor charges of possession of a dangerous drug, as well as an outstanding reckless driving charge from March.

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