June 6, 2011 - 12:48 PM
---With the 2011 season slowly arriving, the Bleacher Report takes a peek at all 120 FBS teams.
---This is a few days old, but UB associate head coach Ernest Jones talks about former Bull Josh Thomas.
---UB athletic director Warde Manuel joins Allen Wilson, Joe Major and myself on The Sports Insiders at 6:30 tonight on www.weck1230.com.
---Rodney McKissic
June 2, 2011 - 8:56 AM
---Big 4 coaches, like Canisius' Tom Parrotta, view the Ohio State scandal as a time to educate student-athletes about off the field issues.
---These assistant coaches will be head coaches soon.
---Doug Flutie a head football coach?
---Is Thursday night the right night for Syracuse's opener?
---Army to the Big East?
---Rodney McKissic
May 31, 2011 - 9:41 AM
---St. Francis product Doug Worthington, pictured above, has been implicated in a memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal at Ohio State that forced Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel to resign on Monday.
Sports Illustrated.com reported late Monday night that Worthington, who played at Ohio State from 2005-09, is one of 28 players – 22 more than the university has acknowledged – involved in the scandal. According to SI.com, Worthington traded or sold Ohio State memorabilia before his eligibility expired according to a source who is referred to in the story by the pseudonym Ellis. Worthington is mentioned on page 3 in the article.
Others named by Ellis as players who traded or sold memorabilia before their eligibility expired are defensive ends Robert Rose and Thaddeus Gibson, wide receivers Lamaar Thomas and Ray Small and running back Jermil Martin.
Through his agent, Worthington declined to comment to SI and attempts by the Buffalo News to reach Worthington this morning were unsuccessful.
In this article published by the ozone.net on May 4, Worthington supports Tressel: “He looked out for his players, and rightfully so. Obviously, they got him where he’s at. As far as the whole FBI situation, he did what’s best for those kids. They didn’t tamper with the FBI situation. There’s a lot more than sports writers and other people could really fathom that’s a lot higher than sports.”
Worthington was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft and was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad last November.
---Rodney McKissic
May 30, 2011 - 10:54 AM
---Ohio State's Jim Tressel, who met with coaches and players this morning to announce his resignation, was encouraged to resign, sources told The Columbus Dispatch.
Less than three months after President E. Gordon Gee and Athletics Director Gene Smith said they fully supported their embattled coach, mounting pressure, a pending NCAA disciplinary hearing and new revelations about the culture of the program forced the university to act on their once-revered coach, sources said. University officials wouldn't confirm that Tressel was asked to resign.
This will set a chain reaction that will open up at least two BCS coaching jobs. Here's one thought: Nebraska's Bo Pelini goes to Ohio State which clears the lane for Turner Gill to freturn home to Nebraska. That leaves Kansas to go after a rising star like Toledo's Tim Beckman. The Rockets would then hire a hot BCS assistant. See? Simple.
---Rodney McKissic
May 20, 2011 - 3:21 PM
---Notre Dame made an initial "termination payment" to Charlie Weis of more than $6.6 million and will continue to cut smaller checks to its former football coach for the foreseeable future, according to federal tax documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune. Weis' apparent buyout is revealed on the Form 990 Notre Dame must submit to the IRS. Weis' total severance pay — which was subject to debate as his tenure drew to a close — won't be fully clear for years, though.
---Rodney McKissic
May 17, 2011 - 8:43 AM
---And Phil Steele is the most accurate. Or so he says.
---Here's a 2011 preview of Syracuse.
---UMass' Together We're One Tour begins in Boston.
---Tony Barnhart writes that coaches need to stop oversigning.
---Rodney McKissic
May 16, 2011 - 5:18 PM
---This year’s Sporting News College preview just arrived at my door – I received a free copy since I wrote the MAC preview – are here is the predicted order of finish for the league:
East
1. Temple
2. Miami (Ohio)
3. Ohio
4. Akron
5. UB
6. Bowling Green
7. Kent State
West
1. Northern Illinois
2. Toledo
3. Western Michigan
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Ball State
In the Rating the MAC section, UB’s Steven Means is the best interview, while linebacker Khalil Mack is all-league. The recruiting roundup, written by TSN’s Brian McLaughlin, ranks the Bulls class 11th in the conference.
Big East
1. West Virginia
2. South Florida
3. Pitt
4. Cincinnati
5. Louisville
6. Syracuse
7. UConn
8. Rutgers
In rating the players, Syracuse DE Chandler Jones was named the player with the best instincts while the Orange’s recruiting class was rated seventh. Jones, OL Justin Pugh, and DB Phillip Thomas were all named All Big East.
Top 10
1. LSU
2. Oklahoma
3. Bama
4. Stanford
5. Oregon
6. Boise State
7. Florida State
8. Ohio State
9. Texas A&M
10. Nebraska
---Rodney McKissic
May 16, 2011 - 9:28 AM
---After a rocky first season, former UB coach Turner Gill hopes to jump start Kansas, while new coach Darrell Hazell is trying to do the same at Kent State.
---Here's a 2011 preview on Central Michigan.
---Although coaches and administrators here expressed varying degrees of optimism on the future of college athletics, the consensus was that in order to change the sport’s polluted culture, the NCAA needs to adopt stiffer penalties for its cheaters.
---Rodney McKissic
May 15, 2011 - 8:33 AM
---Zach Maynard, who transferred from UB after the 2009 season, was named as Cal's No. 1 QB by coach Jeff Tedford in a move that wasn't much of a surprise. The left-hander - with two years of eligibility left - was picked to start the Sept. 3 season opener against Fresno State but said he looked at his promotion as a step in a process.
"I'm still working for a job," he said.
In spring practice he beat out senior Brock Mansion and sophomore Allan Bridgford, who will be co-listed at No. 2 on the depth chart going into the opening of training camp Aug. 6.
Here's a transcript of Maynard's press conference.
---Rodney McKissic
May 12, 2011 - 9:00 AM
---Maybe former UB quarterback Zach Maynard, who wouldn't even be at Cal if not for his brother's skills and Turner Gill's coaching success, can restore the Bears' quarterback play to the high standards of the past.
---Scout.com previews UB's 2011 season.
---In a series of video interviews Mark Mangino, the man Gill replaced at Kansas, opens up about his time with the Jayhawks and his future.
---Rodney McKissic
Western New York native Bob DiCesare covers UB football, Big 4 basketball and writes an occasional column. He still holds a grudge against Chris Ford who, he's convinced, cost St. Bonaventure the 1970 NCAA basketball championship.
Rodney McKissic began his journalism career in 1989 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and has worked for The Buffalo News since 2001. A proud father of four children, he enjoys reading in his spare time.
Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, hhas covered colleges for The Buffalo News since 1999. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.
