Reporters' Notebooks

Kyle Hightower, Orlando Sentinel: Central Florida's George O'Leary talked publicly for the first time since Ereck Plancher died, calling the freshman receiver a "good kid" and "19-year-old angel."

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: O'Leary was helpless as he knelt over Plancher and tried to keep him from dying. He held his player tightly and implored over and over, "Squeeze my hand! Squeeze my hand!"

Kansas City Star: The Kansas basketball team has a big fan in football coach Mark Mangino, who was hand for the Jayhawks' first-round tournament game in Omaha.

Ricky Treon, Daily Texan: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is an honorable name, but it's certainly not a menacing one.

Joseph Person, Columbia State: South Carolina receiver Dion Lecorn requested a jury trial on a simple marijuana charge stemming from his arrest last month.

Michael Hasch, Tribune-Review: Charges of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct against Penn State linebacker Tyrell Sales were dropped.

Mike Joseph, Centre Daily Times: Political football: Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno, cornerback Lydell Sargeant and former receiver Kenny Jackson were on hand at the opening of the Barack Obama headquarters in State College.

Associated Press: Penn State students will have a new class offering this fall: "Joe Paterno, Communications and The Media."

Jeff White, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia, which should be building on the success of a nine-win season and a Gator Bowl appearance, instead has holes at key positions and questions everywhere.

Here is today's mystery link. Thanks to Tom Kirkendall.