Reporters' Notebooks

Martin Fennelly, Tampa Tribune: South Florida began playing games 10 years ago. Rutgers got its start in 1869. Thursday night the teams square off in a Big East showdown.

Tom Luicci, Newark Star-Ledger: The warm and fuzzy feelings from last season's 11-2 record have all but vanished at Rutgers. Two coaches have complained that Greg Schiano has run up the score and two others have accused safety Joe Lefeged of dirty hits.

Dirk Facer, Deseret Morning News: Utah and Texas Christian try to get back in the Mountain West race Thursday night in Fort Worth.

Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News: The attorney for Penn State tailback and accused rapist Austin Scott characterized the alleged victim's testimony as "nonsense" and "totally unbelievable."

Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: A San Diego State faculty committee is turning up the heat to seek more information about athletic department funding. Thanks to Mike!

Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Should Pittsburgh's Dave Wannstedt, recovering from surgery on his left Achilles' tendon, be fired or given a contract extension? The correct answer is none of the above.

Dayton Morinaga, Honolulu Advertiser: A future game between Nebraska and Hawaii could be at stake because of the firing of Steve Pederson as Cornhusker athletic director.

Greg Pogue, Tennessean: A Tennessee fan living in Albuquerque recovered a stolen autographed ball from the Volunteers' 1982 victory over Alabama.

Wally Hall, Northwest Arkansas Times: Defending the paper's Freedom of Information Act request that revealed Danny Nutt, brother of coach Houston, was still on the university payroll.

Adam Van Brimmer, Savannah Morning News: If Georgia Tech players are a step slow Saturday against Army, it's probably because of the 24 pot pies running back Tashard Choice's mother baked for the team.

Brandon Hanson, Easterner: The managing editor of the Eastern Washington student paper wants to know how Brigham Young fans tailgate without beer.

Marcus R. Fuller, Pioneer Press: North Dakota State kicker Shawn Bibeau is preparing for the biggest victory in Bison history when his team beats Minnesota on Saturday.

Associated Press: Notre Dame, which likely hasn't mowed the grass for three weeks and already has the sprinkler system working overtime, will wear throwback uniforms Saturday against USC.

Associated Press: Vegas baby! The Las Vegas Bowl has already sold out, more than two months in advance of the game.

To bypass registration, go to Bug Me Not.