Reporters' Notebooks

Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: John Duffy, a sports announcer and weekend news anchor for ESPN Radio 1250, was arrested last week on child pornography charges. Ward, 46, is the press box announcer for University of Pittsburgh games at Heinz Field. Thanks to Kevin of We Are Penn State.

Knoxville News Sentinel: Put out those Marlboros, Tennessee fans. Neyland Stadium is now smoke-free, to comply with the “Non-Smoker Protection Act” passed by the state legislature this year.

Ray Melick, Birmingham News: An official with knowledge of the infractions process says Alabama coach Nick Saban's name has turned up more than any other coach's in other teams' allegations of secondary NCAA rules violations.

Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: The Federal Communications Commission may get involved with negotiations between Echostar Communications and the Big Ten Network. A ruling in favor of Echostar would be a damaging blow to the Big Ten Network.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Boise State running back Ian Johnson, who will marry Chrissy Popadics on Saturday, has had to hire security for the ceremony after racist threats.

Ed McGranahan, Greenville News: Atlantic Coast Conference officials say they have conducted background checks of officials for the past two years.

Jake Schaller, Colorado Springs Gazette: Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson the league has conducted random background checks on the officials in all 19 of its sports for the past two-plus years.

Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald: Miami coach Randy Shannon has ordered the names removed from the back of player jerseys. The move is an effort to promote a "team-first" attitude.

J. Brady McCollough, Kansas City Star: Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins said that coach Mark Mangino has done what they've asked him to do thus far, but that another 6-6 campaign would not cut it this year.

Tony Barnhardt, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Florida State could be playing a nonconference game at the Georgia Dome in 2008 against an opponent to be determined.

Jim Kleinpeter, Times-Picayune: Louisiana State running back Alley Broussard, unable to overcome a knee injury that caused him to miss the 2005 season, has left the team.

Marcus Nelson, Palm Beach Post: Coaches in the Sun Belt Conference are among the lowest paid in Division I-A.