Reporters' Notebooks

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany now says expansion is not on the horizon. He also reaffirmed his opposition to a plus-one playoff and softened his tone toward Comcast, which is refusing to put the Big Ten Network on its basic level of service.

Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penn State's Joe Paterno, 80, says he is considering coaching from the press box. "I enjoyed being upstairs, I really did. I sat down, had a nice time, had a cup of coffee. I felt like a newspaper guy. I was even able to watch television."

Angelique S. Chengelis, Detroit News: Michigan's Lloyd Carr, 62, on his possible retirement: "At some point, we're going to all retire and there's always an appropriate time to speak to that issue."

Randy Peterson, Des Moines Register: New Iowa president Sally Mason says coach Kirk Ferentz, who has guided the Hawkeyes to a 13-12 record the past two seasons, is well worth his annual salary of $2.84 million.

John Maher, Austin American Statesman: Crews are working three shifts a day and seven days a week in a nonstop push to ensure that the north end zone expansion at Texas' Darryl Royal Memorial Stadium is ready for the Sept. 1 game against Arkansas State. Stadium webcam of the project.

Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal: Former Miami linebacker James Bryant, a key figure in the Oct. 14 brawl between the Hurricanes and Florida International, has transferred to Louisville.

Joe Vardon, Toledo Blade: Toledo's Harvey McDougle, who the FBI said earlier this year was at the center of an alleged point-shaving scheme, proclaimed his innocence and said he never recruited other Rocket athletes to fix games.

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: The text messaging ban to recruits has started, but it could be eliminated or changed at the NCAA board of directors meeting Aug. 9.

Jonathan Okanes, Contra Costa Times: Receiver Nyan Boateng, who is transferring from Florida to California, has been charged with burglary residence, battery and criminal mischief in Gainesville.

Moisekapenda Bower, Houston Chronicle: Former Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar is eager to restart his career at Sam Houston State.

Angelique S. Chengelis, Detroit News: Michigan and Notre Dame have signed a 20-year extension and will continue their series through 2031.

And here is today's mystery link. Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.