HOUSTON — The University of Houston denied it has been contacted by the Big East Conference as a potential addition to the football members in the league.
Presidents in the Big East agreed Tuesday to expand the number of schools that play football to 10.
The Big East has eight teams playing football, and Houston as well as TCU and Central Florida are among the teams thought to be potential expansion targets.
While Houston and Central Florida released statements Wednesday denying contact with the conference, TCU did not.
• Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed from the neck down making a tackle against Army on Oct. 16, has been transferred to a New Jersey spinal cord rehabilitation center for the next phase of his treatment.
LeGrand’s mother Karen said her son “is in good spirits and anxious to take the next step in his rehabilitation process.”
• Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd is out for the season with an ankle injury.
• Miami running back Damien Berry, the Hurricanes’ leading rusher with 690 yards, will miss Saturday’s game against Maryland because he’s a “little sore, banged up,” coach Randy Shannon said without specifying the exact nature of the injury.
Phaneuf out four to six weeks
TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf is out four to six weeks after surgery to repair a “significant” laceration on his left leg. The defenseman was injured in the second period of Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to Ottawa when he got tangled up awkwardly with Senators forward Peter Regin.
• The Minnesota Wild placed left wing Guillaume Latendresse on the injured list with a groin injury.
Twellman KO’d by concussion
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Two years after being punched in the face in a collision with Los Angeles Galaxy goalie Steve Cronin while heading in a shot for the New England Revolution, Taylor Twellman announced he was retiring because of the effects of the concussion.
After eight seasons and 101 goals, sixth most in MLS history, Twellman, 30, said he had no option but to retire.
“It’s unfortunate to lose your career to an injury. It’s not a choice,” the five-time MLS all-star and former MVP said. “When you’re told that if you want to live your life and be healthy then soccer needs to stop, the decision’s made for me.”
• Pedro Leon scored in second- half injury time, giving Real Madrid a 2-2 tie at AC Milan to advance the Spanish power into the European Champions League’s second round along with Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Footnotes.
Georgia will likely be without men’s basketball star forward Trey Thompkins for its Nov. 12 season opener because of a severely sprained right ankle.
• Oral Roberts could be without its leading rebounder and second- leading scorer for up to a month after Michael Craion reaggravated a right foot injury.
• The owner of Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis said it will cease all operations at the track.
The Associated Press
