Reporters' Notebooks

Joe Ovies, 850 The Buzz Blog: Check out some of the problems at North Carolina State's Carter-Finley Stadium: Long lines to get into the stadium, running out of water and bad smelling ice/cups. Writes Ovies: "As a good friend of mine described it, when he went to take a drink it, 'smelled like someone farted in my cup.' "

Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: A longtime San Diego State faculty member is sponsoring a resolution to abolish the Aztec football program because of its failure to generate revenue as promised and because of the strain he says that puts on academics. Thanks to Mike for this!

Bob Wojnowski, Detroit News: How bad is the Big Ten? Example: Michigan State allowed Notre Dame to score not one, but two whole touchdowns.

Jeff Rabjohns, Indianapolis Star: You don't get the Big Ten Network? Relax. You haven't missed much.

Brad Rock, Deseret Morning News: Utah, which has stumbled to a 1-3 start, deserves to be insulted, so here goes. ...

USA Football: Two California high schools — Concord De La Salle and Long Beach Polytechnic — top the list of high schools with the most 2007 NFL players with six each.

Jason Riley and Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal: Louisville dismissed troubled linebacker Willie A. Williams after he charged with possession of marijuana, felony tampering with physical evidence and driving without a license.

Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post: Two Florida State football players were involved in academic fraud for receiving answers for online exams.

Geoff Calkins, Commercial Appeal: Memphis blew a 25-point halftime lead and lost to Arkansas State, 35-31. A potential game-winning punt return for a touchdown was called back with 3:16 left because of an illegal block by Turner West, son of coach Tommy West.

Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman: The Boise State offense was back in its big-play glory — and its coming-out party came against Southern Mississippi, Conference USA's perennial leader in defense.

Thayer Evans, New York Times: Rhett Bomar is returning to Oklahoma, this time as Sam Houston State's quarterback. His team plays Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Samuel G. Freedman, New York Times: Meet William C. Dowling, a Rutgers professor who has written a book about his efforts to curtail the university's ambition to run among the elite of college athletics.

Doug Zaleski, Muncie Star Press: Ball State tailback Quale Lewis' season is over. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the loss at Nebraska.

Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News: San Jose State's football program, which was in danger of being eliminated just a few years ago, could turn a profit this season.

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