NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham will miss the third-ranked Sooners’ season opener against No. 20 Brigham Young because of cartilage damage in his right knee.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Thursday that Gresham and team officials were considering treatment options “that could have a bearing on his return” but didn’t elaborate.
Gresham played a big role in Oklahoma’s record-setting offense last season with 66 catches for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Trent Ratterree and James Hanna will be listed on the depth chart at tight end.
The Sooners face BYU on Saturday at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Game will go on at Rose Bowl
LOS ANGELES — UCLA will go ahead with its season-opening game against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday despite the wildfire in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
Athletic director Dan Guerrero said the decision to play was made after consulting with Pasadena, Calif., officials and discussing projected air quality conditions at the venerable stadium.
The Rose Bowl is less than 10 miles south of the fires burning in the Angeles National Forest.
Guerrero said UCLA will monitor the situation. The forecast for Saturday calls for sunny skies and a high of 90 degrees.
USC’s Brown reinstated
LOS ANGELES — Southern California linebacker Luthur Brown, a redshirt senior, has regained his academic eligibility and will be available to play in Saturday’s opener against San Jose State.
Tar Heels lose Jones
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina receiver Dwight Jones will have surgery on his right knee today and will miss Saturday’s opener against The Citadel.
It’s unclear how long the sophomore will be out. He was expected to start opposite Greg Little for the No. 21 Tar Heels, who are trying to replace three receivers who were taken in the NFL draft.
The school also announced it has agreed to play Minnesota in a home-and-home series in 2013 and 2014. The programs have never met in football.
Wolverines turn to freshman
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan freshman Tate Forcier will start at quarterback Saturday against Western Michigan, beating out Nick Sheridan and Denard Robinson for the job.
Forcier is known for his accuracy, a major problem for last season’s quarterbacks. He completed 69.9 percent of his passes in high school.
“All three of them have done well in spurts,” coach Rich Rodriguez said. “It’s just that no one has separated himself to say he is solid, he’s going to take all the reps.”
Rick Leach in 1975 and Chad Henne in 2004 also started season openers as true freshmen at Michigan.
