Thursday, November 15, 2007

Reporters' Notebooks

Lincoln Journal Star: The life of Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove has been threatened and police are investigating. After the blowout loss to Kansas, a man reportedly left this message: “Go back to where you [expletive] came from you [expletive], before I [expletive] kill ya.”

Cliff Kirkpatrick, Corvallis Gazette-Times: The Pacific 10 responded to Oregon State athletic director Bob De Carolis' call for harsher discipline on the crew that worked the Beavers' game against Washington by announcing that the instant replay crew has been suspended for one game. In addition, the on-field and instant replay team will not be considered for working a bowl game.

Chip Brown, Dallas Morning News: On a day Mike Leach announced he planned to appeal his $10,000 fine, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said this is the first time there has been a complaint about the league's policy that allows officials to work games in the city where they live and even allows officials to work games involving the school they attended.

Chris Dufrense, Los Angeles Times: Is Oregon about to be screwed once again by the Bowl Championship Series?

Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News: Texas A&M has sent recently discovered copies of Dennis Franchione's VIP Connection newsletter to the NCAA.

Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan practiced and is expected to start Friday night at Nevada.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii officials are promising beefed up security for the Warriors' home game against Boise State on Nov. 23 after complaints of abusive treatment of Fresno State fans last Saturday. Bark Board, a Fresno State fan site, reported "fights, alcohol, lax security and thug fans have turned Aloha Stadium into what is likely the most horrible game day atmosphere in college football."

Randy King, Roanoke Times: A different account has emerged over the gunshots that were fired into Virginia Tech cornerback Macho Harris' apartment.

Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn State offensive tackle Dennis Landolt devours seven to 10 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a night. Guard Rich Ohrnberger once consumed 10 sloppy joes for dinner.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Three Iowa players have been questioned in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Plus a list of Hawkeye players who have encountered legal troubles in 2007 from the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Josh Katzowitz, Cincinnati Post: Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is not concerned that his team continues to reach double-digits in penalties. "I try not to get too worked up about it, as long as we're not doing stupid things."

Paul Walsh, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota's athletic buildings were thrown into darkness when a mouse caused an electrical short.

Chip Scoggins, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota's inaugural game in TCF Bank Stadium will be on Sept. 12, 2009. The opponent is Air Force.

Marisa Schultz, Detroit News: Michigan has until Monday to agree to modifications to the Big House to make it accessible for disabled patrons or face a federal lawsuit.

Associated Press: Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is asking lawmakers to give his department a sales tax exemption on donations made by fans trying to qualify for season tickets. Alvarez said his department would owe $400,000 in the first year and up to $2 million if the tax is collected retroactively to 2001.

Bob Kravitz, Indianapolis Star: It's time to take "interim" off Indiana coach Bill Lynch's title.

Andy Staples, Tampa Tribune: Why on earth is Florida playing Florida International instead of a name team? In part, officials say a Southeastern Conference schedule and an annual matchup with Florida State is difficult enough.

Wally Hall, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Should Houston Nutt be replaced? That’s not up to this columnist, but don’t be surprised if his agent, Jimmy Sexton, doesn't find him a fresh start somewhere else.

Mike Duprez, Lexington Dispatch: What about those Butch Davis-to-Arkansas rumors?

Travis Haney, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Steve Spurrier on Herchel Walker's physical challenge to the South Carolina coach: "And you expect me to respond to that? And y'all actually listen to that?" Plus a tale of the tape.

John Pruett, Huntsville Times: Mississippi State's patience with Sylvester Croom is beginning to pay off in big ways.

Mike Knobler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey is downplaying speculation that he is about to lose his job.

Israel Gutierrez, Miami Herald: Miami's Randy Shannon has a tendency to place blame directly on his players for losses, taking almost none of it for himself or the coaching staff. And after 10 games and a 5-5 record, there doesn't seem to be a guarantee that Shannon will turn around the Hurricanes.

Bryan Strickland, Durham Herald-Sun: Duke offensive coordinator Peter Vaas has motivation to beat Notre Dame. He was fired from his job as Fighting Irish quarterbacks coach last January by Crewcut Charlie Weis.

Jim Moore, Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Could Washington State's Bill Doba be close to saving his job?

Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State to a bowl? Unlikely, but a month ago the only bowl associated with the Aztecs had training table oatmeal in it.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Idaho coach Robb Akey's ribbing of rival Boise State — the first-year Vandal referred to the Broncos as "donkeys" on several occasions in the past two weeks — has intended to inject life into Saturday's game.

Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer: Is Skip Holtz in his final days as East Carolina coach?

To bypass registration, go to Bug Me Not. Here is today's orgasmic mystery link.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why 1-9? It's the coach, stupid.

Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis is an absolute disaster...

Anonymous said...

Chris Dufrense, Los Angeles Times: Is Oregon about to be screwed once again by the Bowl Championship Series?

No, Chris, they did it to themselves.