CFB

AP National WriterFor Nick Saban and Alabama, it all starts with the defenseBy PAUL NEWBERRYTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Nick Saban goes through an exhausting checklist when discussing what it takes to have the nation's best defense.The Alabama coach starts with some of the basics: being physical, playing with toughness,...

JMU's Abdullah trying out with 49ers(STATS) - Former James Madison running back Khalid Abdullah, the most outstanding player in the Dukes' 2016 FCS national championship game win, is trying out at the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp this weekend.The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Abdullah was not selected in the seven-round NFL...

AP Sports WriterFormer Notre Dame QB Zaire says he's going to FloridaBy MARK LONGGAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire says he's going to Florida.Zaire announced his decision Tuesday on Instagram with a picture of the Gators logo, saying: ''Official! I couldn't be happier to be...

STATS FCS Senior Editor=NFL teams look to the FCS for defensive backsBy CRAIG HALEYNo position may stock this year's NFL draft as much as defensive back.Former NFL executive and scout Mark Dominik predicted on ESPN Radio on Wednesday - the eve of the three-day, seven-round draft in Philadelphia -...

AP Sports WriterHokies LB Newsome hoping to finish career with a flourishBy HANK KURZ Jr.BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Deon Newsome wishes he had listened to his coaches when he first arrived at Virginia Tech.Initially averse to playing defense, which was the coaching staff's preference, Newsome redshirted his first season....

Freshman football player dies after morning workoutKENT, Ohio (AP) A freshman football player at Kent State University has died following a morning workout.The university says paramedics transported Tyler Heintz to a hospital following football conditioning drills at Dix Stadium on Tuesday.The Portage County coroner confirmed his death that...

Mike Gundy signs new, 5-year contract with Oklahoma StateSTILLWATER, Okla. (AP) Mike Gundy has signed a five-year contract extension with Oklahoma State that will pay him $4.2 million this year followed by a $125,000 raise each year afterward.The deal announced Tuesday requires approval from the Oklahoma State/A&M Board...

Commissioners association OKs December football signing dayBy The Associated PressHigh school seniors can now sign football letters of intent in December in addition to the traditional signing period that starts the first Wednesday of February.The Collegiate Commissioners Association on Monday announced its approval of the new signing period, the...

STATS FCS Senior Editor=Longest-tenured FCS coaches are impactfulBy CRAIG HALEY(STATS) - It might be said college football players have changed so much that younger coaches relate to them better today, but the success of the longest-tenured coaches in the FCS punctuates their impact.William & Mary's Jimmye Laycock leads the...

AP Sports WriterCal coach Justin Wilcox catches breath after whirlwind startBy JOSH DUBOWBERKELEY, Calif. (AP) Justin Wilcox spent much of the past few months playing catch up after being hired for his first head coaching job at California in the middle of January.He had to finish a recruiting...

College Football WriterFormer Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian dies at 94By RALPH D. RUSSOAra Parseghian reached the pinnacle of his profession at Notre Dame and endured the most painful personal losses as a father and grandfather.He walked away from coaching at the age of 51 after winning two national...

Michigan State not renewing Blackwell's contractEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan State is not renewing the contract of football staff employee Curtis Blackwell, who had been suspended with pay.Blackwell's deal expires Wednesday. University spokesman Jason Cody says coach Mark Dantonio decided to go in a different direction.In February, Cody...