CFB

Motel 6 returns to sponsor Cactus Bowl in 2016PHOENIX (AP) Motel 6 is returning as the title sponsor of the Cactus Bowl.This year's game, which features opponents from the Big 12 and Pac-12, will be played Dec. 27 at Chase Field.The Cactus Bowl is typically held at Arizona...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois fired athletic director Mike Thomas on Monday as it released the final report from its investigation into mistreatment of football and women's basketball players.The report found no wrongdoing by Thomas, according to interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson. She praised Thomas for dealing with the string...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Dalvin Cook and Everett Golson returned to practice on Monday as No. 17 Florida State began preparations for Saturday's game at third-ranked Clemson.Cook, the nation's second-leading rusher, did not practice last week after suffering an ankle injury in a 22-16 loss at Georgia Tech on...

AP Sports WriterNotre Dame special teams provide too many 'head scratchers'By TOM COYNESOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly calls the repeated blunders the Fighting Irish keep making on special teams ''head scratchers.''That's the polite way of phrasing it.The miscues have played a major role in...

Villanova sets 2017 schedule for Ferrante debut(STATS) - Villanova will meet local rival Temple and play five home games in coach Mark Ferrante's first season as part of an 11-game 2017 schedule that was announced Friday.The Ferrante era will kick off at Patriot League champ Lehigh on Sept. 2...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - When asked about Tennessee's Josh Dobbs, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz recalled facing two other mobile quarterbacks this season.''You want the bad news? Maryland and Minnesota come to mind right away,'' Ferentz said.Maryland's C.J. Brown accounted for 219 yards, including 99 rushing, in a 38-31 victory...

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) This week's game at No. 11 Wisconsin couldn't come at a better time, as far as Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is concerned. The Cornhuskers are 7-0, ranked No. 7 - and have been doubted at every turn. ''We have a lot of critics about whether we really...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) Dave Clawson's rebuilding effort at Wake Forest could reach a big preseason goal Saturday with the Demon Deacons a win away from bowl eligibility. Just don't expect the third-year coach to say much about it entering a home game against Army. ''I'm not going to talk about it,''...

AP Legal Affairs WriterSuspension recommended for lawyer in Miami athletics probeBy CURT ANDERSONMIAMI (AP) A lawyer who assisted the NCAA in its investigation of University of Miami athletics is facing a 91-day suspension from practicing law, according to new court documents.The documents show that's what the Florida Bar...

Full-page ad thanks Ken Starr following Baylor ousterAUSTIN, Texas (AP) A full-page newspaper ad thanks Ken Starr for his ''exceptional care for students'' following his removal as Baylor University president over the school's handling of sexual assault complaints against football players.The color advertisement in Sunday's Austin American-Statesman is...

Associated PressUSC promotes QB Sam Darnold to starter over Max BrowneBy DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Freshman Sam Darnold will be Southern California's starting quarterback on Friday night at Utah, replacing Max Browne after just three games.Coach Clay Helton made the announcement Monday after practice for USC (1-2).Browne is...

N.C. A&T seeks to continue winning ways(STATS) - North Carolina A&T has posted three straight outstanding seasons, but the MEAC power faces a new challenge in its 11-game 2017 schedule which was announced Friday.The Aggies no longer have All-America running back Tarik Cohen, the three-time All-MEAC offensive player of...