QB Ryan Mallett's father: `We haven't made a decision yet'
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett is still deciding where to resume his college football career.
"We haven't made a decision yet, but everybody and their dog is saying my son has done this or that," Jim Mallett said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. "I can tell you, we visited Arkansas and we've talked to Texas A&M and Tennessee. But we're not sure what is going on at Tennessee because they hired an offensive coordinator that has run the spread. I can also tell you we considered UCLA, but just decided that's too far away."
Arkansas, on the other hand, is close to Texarkana, Texas, where Mallett played high school football. Arkansas compliance director Marvin Caston said the school has received permission from Michigan to talk to Mallett -- but he stopped short of saying any transfer process was complete.
"That's where we are," Caston said. "I can't confirm whether or not he's enrolled."
Mallett's father said last week, shortly after it became clear his son was leaving Michigan, that it was a good possibility his son would transfer to Tennessee if the school hired former Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, both of whom were considered for jobs.
The Volunteers chose former Richmond coach Dave Clawson to run their offense. He used more of a spread scheme behind quarterback Stacy Tutt in 2004 and '05 before using more traditional schemes the past two seasons.
Mallett's stint at Michigan ended shortly after the school hired Rich Rodriguez last month to succeed retiring coach Lloyd Carr because the former West Virginia coach plans to have his spread offense led by a mobile quarterback.
The 6-foot-7, 252-pound Mallett has a strong arm and is best suited for a pro-style offense.
He played in 11 games last season as a freshman, filling in for Chad Henne when he was injured. Mallett was 61-of-141 for 892 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.
Mallett threw for more than 2,500 yards and 27 scores as a senior at Texarkana High School, where he was a three-year starter and earned Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year honors.
After sitting out next season, he will have three years of eligibility.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Washington State receiver Brandon Gibson will return for senior year
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -- Brandon Gibson, who led the Pacific 10 Conference in receiving yards last year, said Monday he will return for his senior season at Washington State.
He caught 67 passes for a team-record 1,180 yards in 2007.
Gibson had submitted his name for the NFL draft, but decided to return to WSU.
The 20-year-old Gibson also led the Pac-10 in yards per catch with 17.6, and yards per game (107.3). He was the only Cougar to be named a first-team All-Pac-10 selection, despite missing a game due to an injury.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Purdue beats Central Michigan in Motor City Bowl thriller
DETROIT -- Curtis Painter and Dan LeFevour combined for another show.
This time, more people were watching.
Painter threw for a school-record 546 yards, three touchdown passes and set up Chris Summers' 40-yard kick as time expired in the Motor City Bowl to give Purdue a 51-48 win over Central Michigan on Wednesday night.
"It's a fun game to play if you're on this end," he said.
LeFevour threw for 292 yards and four scores and ran for 114 yards and two TDs, feeding off the energy from the pro-Chippewa crowd of 60,624 that created more noise than most Detroit Lions games in the same venue.
"The atmosphere was amazing," said LeFevour, who completed 17 of 34 passes and ran 33 times. "As we started rolling in the second half, the crowd started getting into it more and it just got better and better."
The 99 points tied the second-highest total in a bowl game that ended in regulation, trailing only the 2003 Insight Bowl where California beat Virginia Tech 52-49.
"It reminded me of some of our early games at Purdue and also of the wacky WAC," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. "It wasn't my favorite game, but it was a heck of a game for the spectators."
Purdue beat Central Michigan 45-22 at home on Sept. 15, when Painter and LeFevour combined to throw for 700-plus yards.
In the Motor City Bowl, Painter was 35-for-54 and both of his interceptions went off receiver Dorien Bryant's hands.
"It's big for us to get a win here after losing our last three games," said Painter, whose passing total ranked third in a bowl game. "It feels good to get all of the statistics, but the best statistic is in the win column."
Purdue receivers Greg Orton, Jake Standeford and Dustin Keller had at least 112 yards receiving apiece.
Early on, Purdue (9-5) didn't seem inspired perhaps because playing in Detroit isn't exactly what a Big Ten team has in mind when it dreams of playing in the postseason.
The Mid-American Conference champion Chippewas (8-6) got the Boilermakers' attention, though, with an interception on the third play of the game and by taking a 3-0 lead.
Purdue then seemed to get fired up and appeared to be rolling toward a rout, leading 27-6 midway through the second quarter, 34-13 at halftime and 41-20 early in the third.
The Chippewas proved they belonged on the same field.
Their comeback started with LeFevour's scoring pass to Bryan Anderson at 10:19 of the third and the quarterback tied the game with two runs late in the quarter.
Purdue answered with Jaycen Taylor's TD run midway through the fourth quarter and seemed to seal the win with a sack when Central Michigan had the ball with 2:15 left and no timeouts.
But LeFevour wasn't done.
He escaped a sack on the next play and got out of bounds. Then, he connected on three first downs before lobbing a pass to Anderson from 19 yards to make it 48-all with 1:09 left to play.
The sophomore finished the season with 27 passing touchdowns and 19 rushing, falling just short of joining Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida as the only players to have 20 of each in the same season.
Painter, who broke the Purdue yardage mark shared by Drew Brees and Kyle Orton, was 4-for-5 for 42 yards on the winning drive.
"It was a heck of a college football game and it might go down as one of the best bowls," Central Michigan coach Butch Jones said. "I can't say enough about our kids. These kids are special.
"Obviously, it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, but I think you saw something special out there. They fought to the bitter end."
Jones, a former West Virginia assistant, is reportedly a candidate for the Mountaineers' job that opened when Rich Rodriguez left to coach Michigan.
"I'm not going to comment on that," Jones said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
New Mexico RB is ineligible for bowl game
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Star New Mexico running back Rodney Ferguson won't play in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday after being declared academically ineligible.
Reserve running back Mike Love also is ineligible and cannot play when the Lobos (8-4) meet Nevada (6-6).
Ferguson, a junior, was the team's top rusher the past two seasons. He ran for 1,177 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns this season. Last year, he led the conference with 1,234 yards rushing.
Paul Baker will start at tailback. The junior has 324 yards rushing this season, with a career-high 54 yards in a season-opening loss at UTEP.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Cross hits the mark
It was a daily double for Fort Scott (Kan.) Fort Scott C.C. sophomore stars.
Earlier today, three-star safety Lucien Antoine committed to Oklahoma State. He was then joined by picking his college of choice by his teammate, quarterback Greg Cross.
"I just got back from Pittsburgh, and I wanted to let you know that I committed to Pittsburgh on the visit," Cross, the nation's No. 49 junior college player, said. "I love Dave Wannstedt. He really helped me feel at home. He was telling me the truth about how I can come in there and compete.
"He said none of the jobs are given to the kids there and that I'll have to earn it. He told me how it was really, and I appreciated that. They want a hard worker, and that's what I wanted to hear."
Cross said it was a big day for him and for his teammate.
"I called Lucien right when I committed, and it was funny because he was trying to call me and tell me he committed to Oklahoma State," Cross said. "We both have worked so hard to get here, and it was amazing we committed on the same day."
Cross said he hit it off with the players on campus.
"The players also were telling me the truth, and I loved the facilities," he said. "Obviously they are better than what we have in the junior college, but it was really impressive. I also found out what degree I can get while I'm up there. To me it was a perfect visit and the perfect situation."
Cross, who was offered scholarships by Kansas State and Louisville, said he isn't expecting to come in and get the starting nod right away, but he also felt like there is a chance for him to compete.
"They told me it's open," Cross said. "Whoever comes in and takes over will be the starter. I know I have to come in and learn system. I don't expect to get anything handed to me. I know I'm going to have to work hard and compete."
Before the bowl game last week, Cross had thrown for 2,564 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a first-team all-Jayhawk Conference selection. As a freshman, he earned second-team all-region honors.
Copyright 2007 Rivals.com. All Rights Reserved.
Georgia Tech among several schools talking with Johnson
ATLANTA (AP) -- If Georgia Tech is interested in making Paul Johnson its next football coach, it may have to convince the Navy coach that the opportunity in Atlanta is better than openings at Duke and Southern Methodist.
Georgia Tech also may have to outbid the other schools for Johnson's services.
Johnson, who already has had talks with SMU and Duke this week, may be the top outside candidate on Georgia Tech's list. Johnson was believed to be interviewing with Georgia Tech officials on Wednesday.
There were indications Wednesday that the interest Johnson has received from other schools could force Georgia Tech to make a quick decision on a possible offer.
If Tech makes an offer to Johnson, the school may have to dig deep into its finances to match possible offers from Duke and SMU.
The Annapolis Capital has reported Duke may offer up to $2 million to Johnson. The Dallas Morning News has reported Southern Methodist will match or top Johnson's current $1.5 million deal with Navy.
The Dallas paper reported there was no agreement between Johnson and SMU after the coach was flown into Dallas Monday night for a tour of the campus and facilities.
Johnson is represented by Atlanta attorney Jack Reale, who did not immediately return phone and e-mail messages on Wednesday.
Georgia Tech already has to pay Chan Gailey, who was fired after the 7-5 regular season, about $4 million. Gailey had four years left on his contract at $1 million per season.
Defensive coach Jon Tenuta will serve as interim head coach for Tech's Humanitarian Bowl game against Fresno State on Dec. 31.
Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich has said Tenuta will be considered for the full-time position.
Johnson, the former Georgia Southern coach, has attracted interest because of his strong record at Navy.
Johnson took over a Navy program that was 1-10 in 2001. Navy went 8-4 and will play Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20 in San Diego. Johnson is 45-29 at Navy, taking the Midshipmen to five straight bowls.
Johnson has deflected other opportunities in recent years and has made it clear he is in no hurry to leave Navy.
"As any other human being would, if someone calls and asks to talk to me about another job, I may listen," Johnson said recently. "But it would take a special deal for me to leave."
Johnson, a former offensive coordinator under Erk Russell at Georgia Southern, returned to the school to lead the Eagles to two national championships. Overall, Johnson is 107-39 in 11 seasons as a head coach.
Johnson's recruiting ties to Georgia would make him especially attractive to Georgia Tech.
Georgia Southern athletic director Sam Baker said Wednesday there is no apparent serious interest from Georgia Tech in the Eagles' current coach, Chris Hatcher.
"They have never called me for permission to speak with coach Hatcher," Baker said. "I think they had some exploratory calling. Since no request was made, I'm assuming there was no serious discussion. ... I think he's not in their picture."
Connecticut coach Randy Edsall announced last week he is remaining at UConn after meeting with Georgia Tech officials.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Houston's Briles next in line to try to fix Baylor football
WACO, Texas (AP) -- Art Briles entered the room flashing Baylor's customary bear claw sign to cheering supporters, gave them a "Sic 'Em Bears" yell and started talking about winning games -- and championships.
Still, Briles knows it's going to take a lot more than talk to revive a Baylor program that has had 12 straight losing seasons, all since the Big 12 was formed.
"What we are going to do is bring Baylor back. ... We are going to get bowl-eligible, we are going to win the (Big 12) South, we're going to win the Big 12 championship," Briles said. "Lip service is easy, but we do have a plan. And we have a mission."
Briles was hired Wednesday by Baylor, which is hoping he can have the same kind of success he had reviving Houston the past five seasons.
The Cougars (8-4) are preparing for their fourth bowl game since Briles arrived, and won the Conference USA title last season. Houston had only two winning records in the 12 years before that, including 0-11 two seasons before Briles got there.
Briles replaces Guy Morriss, who was fired Nov. 18 after five seasons with an 18-40 record and a 7-33 Big 12 mark. Morriss' firing came the day after the Bears (3-9) lost their 12th straight Big 12 game, 45-14 to Oklahoma State.
Briles got a seven-year contract that will pay him up to $1.8 million per season, including all incentives. Briles, who turns 52 Monday, had four years left on his Houston contract with a base salary of $900,000 annually.
"Art Briles embodies all the characteristics that I was seeking," athletic director Ian McCaw said.
Plus, Briles is a Texas native who won four Texas high school championships in 12 seasons at Stephenville. He also spent three years as a Texas Tech assistant before taking the Houston job.
"The Texas connection is essential," former Bears coach Grant Teaff said after Briles' introduction. "Art is basically Texas-grown, and he also has a great gift for handling situations. He's very astute and he's a person that is very, very good recruiting. Texas high school coaches really respect him."
Baylor's 12 consecutive losing seasons have come under four coaches since Teaff left in 1992 after 128 victories and eight bowl appearances in 21 seasons.
The Bears are the only Big 12 team without a bowl appearance since the conference's inception in 1996. Only two teams from Bowl Championship Series conferences have gone longer without a bowl, but Indiana (7-5) is expected to play its first postseason game in 14 years. Vanderbilt (5-7) lost its season finale to miss making its first bowl in 25 years.
"Once you've crossed a couple of bridges, at whatever university or whatever level, there's always one or two more out there to cross," Briles said. "And it's sure fun to walk on that path that a lot of people haven't walked on."
After meeting with his players at Houston, and telling them that he wouldn't be coaching them in their hometown Texas Bowl on Dec. 28, Briles met the Baylor players before being formally introduced.
The thing I liked most hearing was that it's not a five-year plan, it's not a seven-year plan, it's a 5-minute plan," safety Jordan Lake said. "We want to win now, and it starts now."
Briles was 34-28 in five seasons at Houston with only one losing season.
Before going to Houston, where he was a four-year letterman as a receiver and played in the 1976 Cotton Bowl, Briles spent three seasons as running backs coach at Texas Tech. His previous head coaching job had been at Stephenville, where he was 136-29-2 in 12 seasons and twice won back-to-back titles.
While Morriss didn't have any winning seasons, he had some positive accomplishments at Baylor. That included the first Big 12 road victory, in 2005 at Iowa State, and in 2006 when the Bears won three Big 12 games in the same season for the first time.
Briles was on Baylor's short list, along with Houston Nutt, who resigned at Arkansas on Monday and became Mississippi's new coach Tuesday.
The leading candidate initially was Mike Singletary, the assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. But the Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and Baylor icon took his name out of consideration after a lengthy meeting with McCaw last week in California.
"That doesn't matter. I might not have been my wife's No. 1 choice. All I know she has put up with me 29 years, fixin' to be 30," Briles said. "Mike, he's the man, so that made sense. But I'm glad it turned out the way it did."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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