LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska has lost a second linebacker to injury after Will Compton hurt his foot during practice.
Coach Bo Pelini announced Compton’s injury Thursday, and said the sophomore would be sidelined indefinitely and likely miss Saturday’s season opener against Western Kentucky. Pelini did not say which foot Compton hurt.
Last month, Nebraska lost linebacker Sean Fisher for the season with a broken leg. Fisher and Compton were expected to compete for playing time this year.
Also, sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Thompson will miss Saturday’s game because of an undisclosed injury.
Ferentz receives extension
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2020, possibly keeping him with the Hawkeyes for the rest of his career.
The new deal bumps Ferentz’s salary from roughly $3 million per season to nearly $3.7 million starting immediately.
Iowa spokesman Steve Roe said the deal should be signed today, and it would make Ferentz the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.
Alabama’s Dareus ineligible
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus has been declared ineligible for two games for accepting nearly $2,000 in improper benefits during two trips to Miami.
An NCAA ruling also ordered Dareus, defensive MVP of the national championship game, to pay $1,787 to a charity of his choice before regaining eligibility. The top- ranked Crimson Tide opens Saturday night against San Jose State.
Coach Nick Saban said Alabama will appeal the NCAA’s penalty.
Footnotes.
Mississippi defensive end Kentrell Lockett, one of five team captains, will be sidelined indefinitely as he undergoes tests for an irregular heartbeat discovered last week.
• Authorities have dropped a drug charge against Oklahoma State safety Victor Johnson, though he still faces accusations of obstructing a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol. A hearing was scheduled for Oct. 18.
• Texas-El Paso running back Donald Buckram has a bruised knee and might be able to play against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Saturday’s season opener.
• David Ruffer will be Notre Dame’s No. 1 kicker after beating out sophomore Nick Tausch, who made a school-record 14 straight field goals during a stretch last season but missed the final three games after injuring his foot.
• Blue-chip freshman linebacker Tevin Jackson is ineligible to play for Texas because he has yet to enroll in fall classes at the university.
• Florida will be without reserve receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. for its season opener Saturday against Miami of Ohio. Hammond, who was charged with driving under the influence this summer, could be back next week against South Florida, coach Urban Meyer said.
The Associated Press
