Reporters' Notebooks

Rick Malwitz, East Brunswick Home News Tribune: Is George Zoffinger, a member of Rutgers board of governors, the source for a series of articles by the Newark Star-Ledger detailing financial shortcomings in the athletic department? Some say Zoffinger wants to become Rutgers athletic director. Thanks to Stephen.

Josh Margolin, and Ted Sherman, Newark Star-Ledger: Contractors are behind in completing renovations to Rutgers Stadium, with crews working 10-hour shifts seven days a week to complete a new mezzanine section that includes 1,000 premium club seats and boxes. The Scarlet Knights' opener against Fresno State is 11 days away and tickets for the mezzanine seats have already been sold.

Awful Announcing: ESPN has announced its broadcasting teams. There are some surprising pairings.

Donald Heath, Savannah Morning News: Georgia's "tough" schedule just got a little easier. Eight Georgia Southern players have been suspended for the opener against the Bulldogs.

Kissing Suzy Kolber: Is Matt Simms' career going up in smoke at Louisville? A photo suggests that might be the case for the suspended quarterback.

Mark Bradley, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The most obnoxious fans in the Southeastern Conference reside in Florida.

Joseph Goodman, Miami Herald: Perhaps Jamar Hornsby deserves a second chance at Florida.

Bill Koch, Cincinnati Enquirer: There's still a chance Ben Mauk will be Cincinnati's starting quarterback. The NCAA agreed to re-hear Mauk's appeal for a sixth year to complete his four years of eligibility.

Kevin Donahue, FanBlogs: Does Florida State's 2010 schedule hint at Bobby Bowden's retirement?

Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press: The NCAA put New Mexico on three years of probation and cut five scholarships as punishment for academic violations involving two former assistant coaches.

Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman: Boise State will start a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Kellen Moore won the job over senior Bush Hamdan after a seven-and-a-half month battle.

Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fifth-year senior Allan Evridge, who started six games as a redshirt freshman at Kansas State in 2005, was named Wisconsin's starting quarterback.

Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register: The Iowa State-Kansas State series is moving to Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium in 2009 and 2010. Each athletic department will receive a $1.8 million guarantee that will be payable over both years, plus 40% of the gate receipts.

Robert Cessna, Bryan-College Station Eagle: Texas A&M ended two-a-days with a water balloon fight between the offense and defense.

Scott F. Davis, Northwest Arkansas Times: Arkansas receiver Marques Wade, whose body had the "odor of intoxicants" when he was arrested on July 26, was sentenced to pay fines, court costs and complete 16 hours of community service on drunk driving and careless driving charges.

Trojan Wire: Check out the insane Joe McKnight video.