Mike Jensen's COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT
TOP 10 TOPICS
1. The Eagles finished their exhibition games . . .
Now, the Nittany Lions have one. Sports Illustrated and Athlon both had Florida International, today's visitor to Happy Valley, ranked 119th of 119 Division 1-A teams.
2. Notre Dame's starting quarterback will be . . .
. . . unveiled today against Georgia Tech. Does the Jimmy Clausen era begin immediately? Or do the Irish use a different scheme with multidimensional Demetrius Jones?
. . . Does Charlie Weis have to take some serious early lumps? That's probably not the game plan, but the retooling Irish, with a new defensive coordinator, get no early breaks from the schedule, with three top-30 opponents out of the gate. (Georgia Tech, at Penn State, at Michigan).
3. Temple's opener last night.
In the first half, penalties stopped Temple's first two drives more than Navy did, while the Midshipmen scored on their first two. But Owls freshman Daryl Robinson was as good as advertised, immediately. His first touch was for a first down, but it was called back by a holding penalty on a Temple lineman. On his first official touch, Robinson caught a screen pass and went 18 yards untouched (or at least un-hit) for Temple's first touchdown.
4. A dud first week.
When the marquee national matchup of the season's first Saturday - shown on prime time on ABC - is between a team picked second in the Pac-10 (California) and a school picked third in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference (Tennessee), most fans can enjoy their Labor Day weekend and skip right to Week 2.
This weekend, no other ranked teams play each other, and UCLA is the only other ranked school to play on the road, at Stanford. Even the big Monday night matchup isn't much: Florida State at Clemson. All that will prove is which Bowden has the most heat on him early this season.
5. Other rankings from Athlon for today's opponents.
These aren't games so much as financial transactions.
USC plays Idaho, ranked 113th.
Nebraska hosts No. 84 Nevada.
Virginia Tech has 86th-ranked East Carolina.
Arkansas takes on No. 82 Troy.
Oklahoma pays off No. 114 North Texas.
Texas brings in No. 104 Arkansas State.
6. Michigan has 1-AA Appalachian State. At least the Mountaineers are the two-time defending 1-AA champions.
7. On the other side of the coin, Villanova has a rough opener.
We know the 1-AA Wildcats got a lot of money from Maryland for tonight's game, and they'll earn it.
8. The Steve Slaton/Pat White show gets started.
West Virginia opens against Western Michigan. For Heisman favorites, these first games are about accumulating numbers (as Ray Rice of Rutgers did Thursday against Buffalo, rushing for 184 yards and three touchdowns) and maybe getting a SportsCenter highlight.
9. Best local performance.
Thursday night, Delaware running back Omar Cuff tied a 1-AA record by scoring seven times, six rushing and one receiving. Cuff ran for 244 yards in Delaware's 49-31 victory over William and Mary.
The Blue Hens are favored in the Colonial Athletic Association South.
10. The real top 10.
1. USC. 2. West Virginia. 3. Florida. 4. LSU. 5. Michigan. 6. Virginia Tech. 7. Wisconsin. 8. Texas. 9. Louisville. 10. Ohio State.
Games of the Week
East Carolina at No. 9 Virginia Tech, noon, ESPN: Last spring's massacre at Virginia Tech will overshadow the game itself.
Florida International at No. 17 Penn State, noon: All eyes will be on Nittany Lions senior quarterback Anthony Morelli. In its five years of existence, Florida International's program has never won a non-conference road game against a 1-A opponent.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC10: A new quarterback, new wide receivers, new starting tailback, and a new defensive look for the Irish, who gave up a combined 85 points in their last two games of 2006, to USC and LSU.
Villanova at Maryland, 6 p.m.: The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the six-team CAA South, although they won their last four games in 2006, finishing with one-point wins over James Madison and Delaware. Sophomore Antwon Young gets his first start at quarterback, taking over for Marvin Burroughs.
No. 15 Tennessee at No. 12 California, 7:45 p.m., 6ABC: Bears receiver DeSean Jackson, a preseason first-team all-American, is the attraction here.
philly.com
College Football Week 1: What to Watch For
(Winning team in Bold; all times Eastern)
East Carolina at #9 Virginia Tech, 12 PM (ESPN)
ESPN College Gameday will be in Blacksburg to cover this emotional day, as the Hokies play football dedicated to those who were lost in the April shootings. The matchup is not as important as the electric atmosphere and inspired football play. Frank Beamer said this will be a game the players remember for the rest of their lives. Surely this will be more symbolic, because Tech should dominate.
Colorado State vs. Colorado (in Denver), 12 PM
This rivalry isn’t as significant as it has been in years’ past when both teams were better, but the “Rocky Mountain Showdown” means everything to college football fans in Colorado. Dan Hawkins and his D1 football squad should rebound from a dreadful 2006 campaign (Hawkins went 2-10 in his first season) with his son, Cody, starting at QB. CSU running back Kyle Bell may or may not be fully recovered from a knee injury. With CU’s domination of the head-to-head series (57-19-2), I’m going to go with the Buffaloes.
Marshall at Miami, 12 PM (ESPNU)
Junior QB Kirby Freeman won the starting job over Kyle Wright and will get to showcase his arm (and mobility) against an inferior Marshall squad. Marshall can keep the game competitive with Conference USA standout running back Ahmad Bradshaw. But chalk up the first win in the Randy Shannon era.
Washington State at #7 Wisconsin, 3:30 PM (ABC)
After flying relatively under the radar in 2006, Wisconsin will have a target on its chest as it returns 16 starters from a 12-1 team. Freshman Offensive Player of the Year P.J. Hill returns a little leaner than last year and is poised for another 1,500 yard season. Fifth-year senior Tyler Donovan will get first crack at replacing three-year starter Tyler Donovan at quarterback. Washington State quarterback Alex Brink will test his arm against the tough Wisconsin secondary, as the Cougars try to keep pace with the Badgers. Wisconsin wins by a few touchdowns.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame, 3:30 PM (NBC)
Charlie Weis has created a cloud of mystery behind the starting quarterback for the season opener, but whoever it is will have to deal with linebacker Philip Wheeler and a swarm of Yellow Jacket defenders. The Reggie Ball Experiment at Tech is finally over as Taylor Bennett takes over the reigns at quarterback. Conventional wisdom would have the more experienced Yellow Jackets to win this game, but I’ll pick Notre Dame at home in a mild upset.
Wake Forest at #24 Boston College, 3:30 PM (ABC)
Wake goes 11-3 and wins the ACC Championship, but is getting no national respect in 2007. I would be one of those people giving the team little respect. The departures of several players on defense including Josh Gattis and Jon Abbate, as well as an improving ACC Conference, signals that the Demon Decons may not be able to repeat that performance this year. BC features the preseason offensive player of the year in quarterback Matt Ryan. In fact, this matchup will be the only ACC game in which two actually good quarterbacks will be on the field at the same time (Riley Skinner of Wake Forest being the other one). In a bout of evenly talented squads, BC gets the home field advantage nod and wins in a close one.
Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis), 3:30 PM (ESPN2)
The “Arch Rivalry” game between the two features an experienced Mizzou team picked by the media to win the Big 12 North, and an Illinois team looking to return to the upper echelon of the Big 10 after a disappointing 2-10 season last year. The numbers say this won’t be too close of a game. But Ron Zook has brought in two great recruiting classes—including sophomore quarterback Juice Williams and freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn—for the Fighting Illini in his short tenure, and the team is ready for a breakout season. While the Illini have potential, quarterback Chase Daniel, running back Tony Temple, and receivers Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker should lead Missouri’s high-powered offense past Illinois.
Oklahoma State at #14 Georgia, 6:45 PM (ESPN2)
In one of the better games this week, Bobby Reid leads the OK State Cowboys into Athens, GA to face the Bulldogs. Reid and All-American wide receiver Adarius Bowman have proven to be a deadly combination through the air. With Georgia missing its top cornerback due to ineligibility, this could be a problem. Georgia will counter with an improved sophomore quarterback Matt Stafford and a stable of running backs including Thomas Brown and redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno. With my upset special pick of the week, Oklahoma State wins in a close one.
#25 Florida State at Clemson, Monday 8:00 PM (ESPN)
Bobby Bowden still leads the Bowden Bowl 5 to 3, but Tommy has won in 3 of the last 4 years. The speedy C.J. Spiller and powerful James Davis help form a dangerous backfield and should cause some problems for the FSU D. In his junior season, Drew Weatherford will have to make some strides to prove he belongs as a starter for this program. Former LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher arrives to help remedy the sputtering Seminole offense. Florida State has all of the tools it needs to return to the top of the ACC, but it has to be consistent. While Clemson has two studs at running back and a decent offensive line, many gaps are still there, most visibly at quarterback. Bobby can’t let his son win three games in a row, right? Florida State wins by a touchdown.
Game of the Week:
#19 Tennessee at #12 Cal, 8:00 PM (ABC)
Cal was blown out 35-18 last year at Tennessee and would like to return the hospitality this year. The Cal defensive backs, which were torched by Erik Ainge and Robert Meachem last year, are a year older. So is Cal QB Nate Longshore, who threw for over 3,000 yards as a sophomore in 2006. This opening week game will serve as a showcase for wide receiver/punt returner DeSean Jackson, who has the potential to be a better game-breaker than Ted Ginn was last year. Erik Ainge should poised for a great senior year, but will need help from the run game and his defensive front. Cal should get its revenge as it opens up its aerial attack early and often.
Irrelevant Game of the Week:
Connecticut at Duke, 2:00 PM
Duke has lost its last 20 games, with a 0-12 record last year and a 1-11 record in 2005. This game will be essential to the Blue Devils as they can break the streak and be on pace to go 12-0 for one whole week—of course, before they lose the rest of their games.
D3 Game of the Week:
The #7 UW-La Crosse Eagles travel to Abilene, Texas to face the #11 Hardin-Simmons Cowboys—conceivably a better matchup than Louisville-Murray State, which ended in a fitting 73-10 result. You mean D3 teams actually play tough out of conference schedules? And they also have a much-desired playoff system?
At least somebody is doing something right.
bleacherreport.com
College Football Betting Tailgate Party For Sports Handicappers
Sep 1st, 2007
East Carolina-Virginia Tech
The betting line has gone up at all sportsbooks as gamblers are betting on the emotion of the Hokies. This will be the first game for Hokie Nation after the horrific and senseless mass murder. There will be ceremonies to honor the innocent victims.
The pointspread winner seems so insignificant, but as Mike Godsey of GodsTips tells us, “So-called intangible players are betting on Virginia Tech’s emotion to be worth six to eight points.”
Arkansas State-Texas
Young Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy will be without two of his best receivers, Billy Pittman (injury/suspension) and Jordan Shipley, though Shipley has a small chance of playing.
Virginia-Wyoming
Not only is Virginia traveling quite a distance, but they will face the largest opening day crown in Wyoming history. The game sold out Friday night. According to our Wyoming sources, it is considered the biggest game the Pokes have hosted “in years”.
Alabama Birmingham-Michigan State
The MasterLockLine.com has bar none the biggest sports service play on this game from the Couch Potato. Though each team has a new coach and new starters, UAB lost 28 seniors from a team that went 3-9 straight up. The Spartans have 13 starters back including special teams. The Blazers lost seven of their leading 10 tacklers. UAB will play both Sam Hunt and Joseph Webb at QB.
Washington State-Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator Paul Cryst is not afraid to throw downfield and Washington State is breaking in two new starters at linebacker and three in the secondary. With the new rules, note Wisconsin’s kickoff return team struggled. However returning kicker Taylor Mehlhaff led the Big 10 in touchbacks last season.
Connecticut-Duke
Just as if it were a basketball game between the two, sportsbooks have a high total of 52. That’s in no small part due to the fact the Blue Devils have 11 starters back on offense, but several players with new roles on defense. This is a realistic chance for Duke to end their 20-game losing streak. They take on a UConn team that is off a 4-8 year. Duke is confident having been very competitive in losses last year to Wake Forest, Miami and hated rival North Carolina.
Central Florida-NC State
For those who believes games are won at the point of attack, note that the Golden Knight’s have starters with a combined 110 career starts on the offensive line. Compare that to the Wolfpack’s 38. Projected starting tackle Jeraill McCuller is suspended indefinitely. Tight end Anthony Hill is out for the year. State’s top defensive tackle DaMario Pressley has been upgraded to probable with a sprained elbow.
Tennessee-California
If California does not cover the spread, it will not be because of lack of motivation. All sharp sports gamblers know it’s a big revenge game for Cal, but last night on Sporting News Radio, Bears broadcaster Roxy Bernstein said he thinks it’s possibly the biggest home game in California history. Speaking of California, congratulations go out to the California (PA) Vulcans for their 1-0 start in Division II.
offshoreinsiders.com
Inside the ACC
ACC QBS
Season opens with a suspect bunch, except for Boston College's Matt Ryan and Wake Forest's Riley Skinner. DOWN
OBSERVATIONS
• Let's just admit it. Two-thirds of today's nine games involving ACC teams should be snoozers.
• Coaches usually like to schedule nonconference games in locations where they recruit. So why on earth is Virginia visiting Wyoming today?
• Villanova, which visits Maryland today, should play the Terrapins every season. In basketball.
• Too bad Marshall's Albert McClellan has suffered a season-ending knee injury. If he would have played against Miami and Calais Campbell, the Orange Bowl would have opened its final season as the Hurricanes' home arena with two of college football's top defensive linemen in the house.
KEY STATS
7
Consecutive 100-yard rushing games for Georgia Tech tailback Tashard Choice.
5-1
North Carolina coach Davis' record in season openers with the Miami Hurricanes.
5
Field goals of 50 or more yards by Wake Forest's Sam Swank in 2006, an ACC season record.
9-1
N.C. State's record in its past 10 openers.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
DT Vince Oghobaase, Duke
Word is that the talented junior has been unblockable in practice. He needs to have a big game for a suspect defense to give Duke a shot against Connecticut.
QB Brett Clay or Patrick Pinkney, East Carolina
Whoever starts in place of suspended Rob Kass gets a huge opportunity in a nationally televised game at Virginia Tech.
WR James Johnson, Georgia Tech
Virtually every decent receiver Notre Dame played put up huge numbers last season against a horrid secondary. Johnson has a chance to step out of Calvin Johnson's shadow today.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1 TAR HEELS NEED DISCIPLINED 'D.'
James Madison's offense resembles West Virginia's, with a single-wing-type scheme featuring lots of quarterback runs. If North Carolina's defenders overpursue and don't perform their assignments, the Dukes will make them pay.
2 JACKETS TARGET QB. Coordinator Jon Tenuta's exotic blitzes frustrated Brady Quinn last season, but Notre Dame eked out a 14-10 win at Georgia Tech. Whoever starts for Notre Dame -- Jimmy Clausen, Demetrius Jones or Evan Sharpley -- will be more bewildered than Quinn.
3 GOING DEEP ON DEACS. Boston College's Matt Ryan is expected to throw deep more under first-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski. Wake Forest cornerbacks Alphonso Smith and Kerry Major are each under 6 feet tall and could be vulnerable to deep fade routes.
THEY SAID IT
"When you have a team that hasn't won much, you're like a thirsty man walking through the desert. You're looking for water." -- Duke coach Ted Roof
charlotte.com
Spurrier tabs Mitchell to face 'Dawgs
September 6, 2007
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Steve Spurrier finally made it official -- South Carolina senior Blake Mitchell will return to his starting quarterback spot against No. 11 Georgia this weekend.
Spurrier said after Thursday's practice Mitchell, in his fifth season with the Gamecocks (1-0), would be back under center at Sanford Stadium on Saturday evening. Mitchell missed South Carolina's opener last week, a 28-14 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette because of a one-game academic suspension he got for missing too many classes during summer school.
Freshman Chris Smelley and sophomore Tommy Beecher shared playing time against the Ragin' Cajuns, each throwing a touchdown pass in the win.
Spurrier played coy with his quarterback decision all week because he thought it might keep the Bulldogs' staff guessing a few extra days. But the ball coach had few other options heading into the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
"He's had a lot of good practices," Spurrier said. "He had a lot of good games at the end of last year. He hasn't had one since the Liberty Bowl. So hopefully this will be the first."
Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, 211-pounder from LaGrange, Ga., has started 17 of Spurrier's 25 games at South Carolina. He's thrown 27 TDs during that span compared with a combined three from Smelley and Beecher.
Add to that Smelley's injury -- a sprained right shoulder that will keep him out of this week's game -- and going to Mitchell seems a no-brainer. Beecher will back Mitchell up and freshman Stephen Garcia has been moved up to third string.
It was Mitchell who led the Gamecocks to a rousing finish last season with three consecutive victories -- something that hadn't happened at South Carolina in 33 years.
Mitchell led three second-half scoring drives as South Carolina wiped out a 28-14 deficit at Clemson to win the rivalry game, 31-28. He followed that up with a stellar Liberty Bowl, setting the school's postseason record with four TD passes. He threw for 323 yards and was named the game's MVP.
But Mitchell got himself in hot water this summer by violating the athletic department's class attendance policy.
Mitchell also held out of the first two sessions of summer football camp. "I definitely let them down," Mitchell said of his teammates and coaches back in August. "But they know I've been there at the workouts, working hard, busting it. I know they believe in me and respect that."
It's the second straight season Mitchell's had off-the-field problems. He was briefly suspended after his arrest for his role in a fight with a bar bouncer. The charges against Mitchell were later dropped.
Mitchell was ineffective at the start of last season. Despite completing 16 of 22 passes for 156 yards against the Bulldogs last September, the Gamecocks lost 18-0. The quarterback's arrest came a few days later with Spurrier saying he planned to sit Mitchell in favor of Syvelle Newton anyway.
Mitchell got another chance late in the season. He came in for the second half against Arkansas and nearly rallied the Gamecocks to victory. Mitchell started the final four games and looked as crisp as he ever had, completing better than 69 percent of his throws with 1,254 yards and eight TDs.
Now, Mitchell has the chance to regain that touch "Between the Hedges" as the Gamecocks attempt to end Georgia's five-game series win streak.
Mitchell has worked with the starters this week, ready for the call Spurrier finally made two days before kickoff.
"It's great to be back playing again," Mitchell told reporters after Wednesday's practice. "It's definitely no fun to just out there and watch."
Also on Thursday, Spurrier said that safety Emanuel Cook will play against the Bulldogs if he is cleared by doctors. Cook missed the opener as he recuperated from an appendectomy, but has practiced with the team this week. He's also dealing with his arrest on a weapons charge last month.
"He's a good player, a good tackler, good hustler," Spurrier said. "He's on of our best players, no question about that."
Kentucky's McClinton to miss Kent St. game
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky starting free safety Marcus McClinton is recovering from a sprained ankle and will miss the Wildcats' home game Saturday night against Kent State, coach Rich Brooks said Thursday.
Calvin Harrison, who made one tackle against Eastern Kentucky last Saturday, will now get his first start at free safety, Brooks said in a statement. Playing in 10 games last season, Harrison, a sophomore from Columbia, S.C., made seven tackles.
Junior Braxton Kelley, starting middle linebacker the last two seasons, will start against Kent State, Brooks said. Kelley was sidelined in early August by a high-ankle sprain but returned to practice last week and played briefly against Eastern.
Sophomore Micah Johnson, who is suffering from a bruised shoulder, will also be available, the school said. Johnson started last week and led the team with seven tackles.
Memphis RB Out 2 Weeks
U of M Notebook
University of Memphis starting tailback Joe Doss will miss the next two weeks after results of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedure Tuesday showed a mild knee sprain.
Doss, a senior and the team's leading rusher a year ago, was injured early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 23-21 loss to Ole Miss at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Doss came up hobbling after gaining 13 yards.
Tiger coach Tommy West said Doss will miss this weekend's game at Arkansas State and next weekend's home game against Division 1-AA Jacksonville State at the Liberty Bowl.
But the results of the MRI were encouraging.
''We got the MRI back and it's a mild sprain, it's a MCL, but it's positive,'' West said. ''I think we have a good chance to get him back by Central Florida (Sept. 22), which I hoped would be best-case scenario, and it looks like that's what it's going to be. Hopefully, the rehab will go as we anticipate, and we'll have him back.''
In Doss's absence, sophomore T.J. Pitts, from West's hometown of Gainesville, Ga., will start.
''T.J. has to step in, and Miguel (Barnes),'' West said. ''They have to be players for us.''
Mills, Williams updates
West said two Tiger defensive linemen -- end Corey Mills and tackle Ryan Williams -- also were examined Tuesday and the results of their tests were similar to Doss'. Mills (shoulder) and Williams (knee) will miss the next two games, but, like Doss, they should be back by the end of the month.
''Corey Mills looks like it's almost the same thing, which is really good news,'' West said. ''We thought there was a chance that one could have been (seriously) torn. He's got a slight tear in the shoulder, the same shoulder he had surgery on, but it's just a matter of getting strength back in the shoulder, and we're shooting for Central Florida there, also.''
Mills underwent surgery to repair his damaged shoulder Nov. 30. Williams missed the second half of last season with a knee injury that didn't require surgery.
After an injury-filled 2006, West said the fact the three players will return soon was encouraging.
''Either one of the last two years they'd all three have been out for the year,'' he said. ''I think it's really positive, and we've got a chance to get 'em back here.''
Danger zones
Tiger quarterback Martin Hankins sported a nasty 'FieldTurf' burn on his right arm Monday, the result of chasing Ole Miss defensive back Dustin Mouzon in vain down the sideline during Mouzon's 99-yard touchdown return.
Hankins said after he made a desperate attempt to catch Mouzon and strip him of the football, he fell to the ground and his arm slid across the heavily painted sideline area of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium's Rex Dockery Field.
''It's not necessarily the turf (that causes the burn), it's the paint,'' Hankins said. ''When they paint it and try to make it look all pretty, it hardens that turf. It makes it stiff. And when you slide across it ...''
Hankins said it wasn't the first time he'd had an ugly burn from the painted turf. He said last season in a home game against Tulsa, he endured something worse.
''Last year against Tulsa I did a big slide on the (UofM logo at midfield),'' he said. ''I caught a staph infection from that. I woke up that morning and I couldn't walk. It took me five minutes to walk around.
''I went in and said 'Doc, you've got to look at this.' He said you've got to start taking these antibiotics right now. If I hadn't done that, I would have been out of the next game (at Marshall).''
Kentucky safety to miss Kent St. game
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky starting free safety Marcus McClinton is recovering from a sprained ankle and will miss the Wildcats' home game Saturday night against Kent State, coach Rich Brooks said Thursday.
Calvin Harrison, who made one tackle against Eastern Kentucky last Saturday, will now get his first start at free safety, Brooks said in a statement. Playing in 10 games last season, Harrison, a sophomore from Columbia, S.C., made seven tackles.
Junior Braxton Kelley, starting middle linebacker the last two seasons, will start against Kent State, Brooks said. Kelley was sidelined in early August by a high-ankle sprain but returned to practice last week and played briefly against Eastern.
Sophomore Micah Johnson, who is suffering from a bruised shoulder, will also be available, the school said. Johnson started last week and led the team with seven tackles.
Gamecocks defensive end ruled ineligible
September 7, 2007
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina defensive end Jordin Lindsay had an NCAA eligibility appeal turned down, meaning he won't be able to play this season.
Athletic department Steve Fink said Friday that Lindsey, a senior, would remain on scholarship with the team and would take this as a redshirt season.
Lindsey, a 6-foot-3, 256-pound senior, started 15 of 25 games the last two years. He was the starter for South Carolina's final five games, which included close losses to Arkansas (26-20) and Florida (17-16), and victories over Middle Tennessee, Clemson and Houston in the Liberty Bowl.
Lindsey recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass in the bowl game, a 44-36 win over Houston last December.
Lindsey did not play in South Carolina's season-opening 28-14 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette while awaiting a final decision on his academic status.
Lindsey's twin brother, linebacker Dustin, was placed back on scholarship this season. He had been declared academically ineligible after the 2005 season, reapplied for admission and worked with the scout team last fall.
Freshman defensive lineman Travian Robertson started at defensive end a week ago.