FootballFresh - College Football Blog » Plenty of familiar faces ahead for North Carolina’s

Plenty of familiar faces ahead for North Carolina’s

Butch Davis will see plenty of familiar faces on the opposing sideline during the coming three weeks at North Carolina.The former Miami coach will cross paths with former Big East nemeses Frank Beamer and No. 17 Virginia Tech, one of his former staff members in new Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon and an ex-cross-state rival in Steve Spurrier — who’s now leading 16th-ranked South Carolina.

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Affidavits implicate ex-Marshall coach (AP)

Sworn affidavits in a federal lawsuit implicate former Marshall football coach Bob Pruett in an academic scandal and a jobs program for athletes that drew NCAA violations. The NCAA sanctioned Marshall in 2001 but did not name Pruett. Marshall was placed on four years' probation and lost football and basketball scholarships for violating NCAA rules.

Georgia adjusts after losing Sturdivant (AP)

Top-ranked Georgia is working with a new mix of starters on its offensive line after losing left tackle Trinton Sturdivant to a season-ending knee injury. Another returning starter, guard Clint Boling, was suspended by coach Mark Richt for the Aug. 30 opener against Georgia Southern following an alcohol-related arrest in the spring.

Washington QB Locker back at practice (AP)

Much to his relief, Jake Locker no longer has to be a spectator. Washington's star sophomore quarterback returned to practice this week after missing 11 days with a hamstring strain that had many fans concerned about his availability for the Huskies opener on Aug. 30 at Oregon. "I don't expect to be anything less" than 100 percent, Locker told reporters on Tuesday.

NCAA clears TE Warren to play for Vols (AP)

Tight end Brandon Warren made his first appearance as an official member of Tennessee's football team on Tuesday looking relaxed and sporting a big grin on his face. Earlier in the day, the NCAA informed the Volunteers that Warren, who caught 27 passes for 301 yards as a freshman at Florida State in 2006, would be cleared to play for No.

Purdue RB Taylor to miss 2008 season (AP)

Purdue running back Jaycen Taylor will miss the 2008 season because of a torn knee ligament. Taylor had an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of damage to his injured right knee, Purdue spokesman Tom Schott said. He will have surgery and miss the season but will return for his fifth year of eligibility in 2009.

Louisville QB Simms suspended 4 games (AP)

Louisville quarterback Matt Simms was suspended for the team's first four games of the season by coach Steve Kragthorpe on Tuesday for breaking team rules. Simms, a redshirt freshman, was competing with Tyler Wolfe for the backup spot behind starter Hunter Cantwell. Simms is the son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and the brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms.