EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer didn’t start the second half against Ohio State because he took a hit to his right hand and head in Saturday’s 45-7 loss to Ohio State.
Hoyer, who returned for one series in the fourth quarter, is scheduled for a concussion test today.
Hoyer hurt his throwing hand and took a blow to the head before tossing an interception toward the end of the first half as the 12th-ranked Buckeyes led the 20th-ranked Spartans by four touchdowns.
Freshman Kirk Cousins led Michigan State on an 85-yard drive to open the second half and was 4-for-4 for 61 yards, including a short TD pass that cut Ohio State’s lead to 28-7.
Alabama’s Cody carted off field.
Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody sustained a right knee injury in the third quarter against Mississippi.
Coach Nick Saban said the second-ranked Crimson Tide’s run-stopper would have his knee examined but that it didn’t appear surgery would be necessary.
“I would assume that he’ll be out for a couple of weeks, but we’re not sure about that until they do the MRI,” Saban said.
Holtz apologizes.
ESPN analyst Lou Holtz apologized on air Saturday for mentioning Adolf Hitler during a college football studio show the previous night.
The former Notre Dame coach referenced Hitler while making a point about good and bad leadership during a discussion of the struggles of first-year Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
“Last night while trying to make a point about leadership, I made an unfortunate reference,” Holtz said. “It was a mistake and I sincerely apologize.”
An ESPN spokesman said Holtz will not be further disciplined.
Oklahoma’s Johnson hurt.
No. 4 Oklahoma lost its top receiver when Manuel Johnson went to the locker room in the first quarter of the Sooners’ game against No. 16 Kansas with an apparent injury to his left arm.
Johnson is Oklahoma’s leading receiver with 32 catches for 553 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He was replaced by Quentin Chaney.
Paterno coaching from press box again.
For the third consecutive week, Joe Paterno was coaching from the press box for No. 3 Penn State because of a lingering right hip and leg injury.
