CFB

STATS FCS Senior Editor=Southern Conference spring outlookBy CRAIG HALEY(STATS) - It might have seemed like Wofford's Mike Ayers was going to outlast all the coaches in the Southern Conference, but his retirement has added to the relatively new look across the conference.Josh Conklin has succeeded Ayers, who went out...

Associated PressIllinois enjoying momentum as Rutgers comes to townBy TERRY TOWERYCHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois coach Lovie Smith is calm, even chill these days.And why not? It has been nearly a decade since the Illini were a 20-point favorite against a Big Ten foe, but a one-point comeback win...

AP Sports WriterLSU's struggles just latest hurdle for resilient Ed OrgeronBy BRETT MARTELBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) LSU coach Ed Orgeron forged a career path that led him to the top of his profession by persevering through personal and professional hardships.So it's little wonder that he continues to project...

AP Sports WriterTexas keeps 'The Eyes of Texas' despite athlete demandsBy CLIFF BRUNTThe University of Texas announced a series of steps Monday intended to make itself more welcoming to its Black students but stopped short of shelving “The Eyes of Texas” song that a number of athletes have said...

Best Western? WKU plays WMU in First Responder Bowl at SMUBy The Associated PressFIRST RESPONDER BOWL: Western Kentucky (8-4, C-USA) vs. Western Michigan (7-5, MAC), in Dallas, Monday at 12:30 p.m. EST.Line: Western Kentucky by 3.Series record: Western Michigan leads 11-3-1.WHAT'S AT STAKEWestern Kentucky has a three-game winning streak,...

Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam was found dead Monday night in a Boulder park less than two miles from Folsom Field, where he carved his name into the University of Colorado record books as one of the greatest players in the program's history. The Boulder County coroner's office was still...

AP Sports WriterRetooled Clemson D has strong spring as it moves forwardBy PETE IACOBELLICLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons accepts that many are concerned over the Tigers changing defense from its latest national championship. He's not among them.The 6-foot-4 junior is supremely confident Clemson will excel despite...

AP Sports WriterNick Saban working with young Alabama team, not much depthBy JOHN ZENORAlabama's Nick Saban isn't likely to get much sympathy from his coaching peers regarding his offseason challenges.But even the Crimson Tide faces some, especially on a defense that was uncharacteristically vulnerable late last season. Such challenges...

Ex-Oklahoma defensive back sentenced to 18 years for robberyWACO, Texas (AP) A former University of Oklahoma football player has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in his Texas hometown of Waco.Parrish Cobb was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to robbing...

AP Sports WriterOklahoma QB Jalen Hurts enjoying final college seasonBy CLIFF BRUNTNORMAN, Okla. (AP) Almost begrudgingly, Jalen Hurts is having some fun.His Oklahoma teammates and coaches have defended their quarterback when asked about Hurts seemingly aloof personality, saying there's more to one of college football's most successful players...

AP Sports WriterKirk Ferentz re-signs with Iowa through 2025 seasonBy LUKE MEREDITHIOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Iowa has signed coach Kirk Ferentz to a six-year contract extension through the 2025 season.Ferentz, who is in his 18th season leading the Hawkeyes, will see his salary jump to $4.5...

Associated PressBack to work: No. 12 Florida State prepares for long grindBy JOE REEDYTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is glad to get back to a normal game-week schedule after Hurricane Irma forced the 12th-ranked Seminoles to take two weeks off.They are facing an upcoming stretch...