CFB

AP College Football WriterMastering the process, Fitzpatrick becomes star at AlabamaBy RALPH D. RUSSOTUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) On those scorching hot late summer days when football practice is harder than usual at Alabama, a kid from New Jersey is usually the player least bothered.If Minkah Fitzpatrick has learned anything...

Early Saturday kick for Big 12 football championship gameIRVING, Texas (AP) There will be an early Saturday kickoff for the Big 12 Conference football championship game in December.Big 12 officials announced Wednesday that the Dec. 2 game will be played at 11:30 a.m. Central time at AT&T Stadium...

AP Sports WriterShowdown on Palouse: No. 16 Washington State hosts No. 5 USCBy TIM BOOTHPULLMAN, Wash. (AP) Shortly after the sun disappears behind the rolling hills of the Palouse on Friday night, Washington State will get the rare opportunity to prove its validity on a national stage.The opponent...

AP Sports WriterNo. 19 USF, Strong focused on getting better vs Stony BrookBy FRED GOODALLTAMPA, Fla. (AP) When No. 19 South Florida assembled for its first practice following a season-opening rout of San Jose State, coach Charlie Strong didn't have any difficulty keeping the attention of his players.The...

AP Sports WriterNo. 2 Clemson rules ACC, others set to challenge the TigersBy GARY B. GRAVESClemson's status as the team to beat in the Atlantic Coast Conference is motivating other schools to prove the league goes beyond the second-ranked Tigers.Schools are making early cases that they are up to...

Associated PressBruins hoping to end nine-game losing streak to CardinalBy MICHAEL WAGAMANSTANFORD, Calif. (AP) Just as he wanted his teammates to move quickly past their first loss of the season last week, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen would also prefer that the Bruins not get caught up in their...

AP Sports WriterPeyton Manning 'pulling hard' for Vols coach Butch JonesBy STEVE MEGARGEEKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning says he's ''pulling hard'' for Volunteers coach Butch Jones, who has received perhaps the toughest criticism of his five-year tenure over the last couple of weeks.Manning said Friday...

AP Sports WriterManning not worried about Giants offense after 1 gameBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Fourteen seasons in the NFL have taught Eli Manning not to make too much of one game.Sure, the New York Giants' offense was pathetic in a season-opening 19-3 loss to the Dallas...

AP Sports WriterA lenient NCAA imposes two-year probation on RutgersBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The NCAA has placed Rutgers on two-year probation and publically reprimanded and censured the university for failing to monitor its football program over a five-year period between 2011 and 2015.The Division I Committee on...

Former Michigan St players waive key hearing in assault caseEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Three former Michigan State football players charged with sexual assault have waived a key hearing and will advance to trial.Michigan judges typically decide whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial. But Josh King,...

Vanderbilt plans to continue playing home games on campusNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt has opted against the idea of playing all its home football games at a proposed off-campus site that it would have shared with a potential Major League Soccer expansion franchise.School officials announced Wednesday that ''we are...

Drake to make 2018 trip to China(STATS) - The Drake football program will make a good-will trip to China next spring, the university announced Wednesday.The trip, scheduled for May 22 to June 4, will leverage longstanding partnerships the university has in China. The team's agenda is expected to include...