BERKELEY, Calif. — California coach Jeff Tedford once again found himself answering questions Thursday about players faking injuries, with video clips gaining traction on YouTube and a report in the Oregonian stating that fake injuries were part of the Bears’ defensive game plan Saturday against Oregon.
The Bears had a handful of defensive linemen go down with apparent cramping during their 15-13 loss to the Ducks. Oregon opponents have been accused all season of faking injuries to slow down its breakneck tempo on offense.
One video clip shows reserve nose tackle Aaron Tipoti get up after a play seemingly fine, but after looking toward the Cal sideline, suddenly hobbling forward and falling on the football.
When asked if Cal’s players faked injuries against Oregon, Tedford definitively said, “No.”
Tedford said his players are always instructed to go down if they are hurt and the pace of the game doesn’t allow them to get off the field in time to have a reserve replace them.
“This is the policy for everybody, and it’s been in football forever,” he said. “If the game is moving at a normal pace, then they can get off the field and get someone else in. If the game is not moving at a normal pace and there is an issue, they have to be able to get off the field in time and get somebody else on the field.”
The Oregonian report stated that a source within the Cal program said faking injuries was a “big part” of the defensive game plan against Oregon, and that not all members of the Bears’ coaching staff were on board with the strategy.
Rogers made “stupid decision.”
An attorney for Kenny Rogers said his client knows he made “a stupid decision” when he sent a fellow Mississippi State booster a text of Cecil Newton’s payment plan to secure his son’s commitment to the Bulldogs.
“I’m not even sure Kenny completely understands why he did it,” Doug Zeit said. “The best I can tell you is Cecil Newton made a few calls insisting that he do it, so Kenny went ahead and sent the text message.”
Zeit confirmed that Rogers sent the text to Bill Bell requesting $80,000 the day after Cam Newton signed with MSU, $50,000 30 days later and another $50,000 30 days after that. Zeit said no money ever changed hands.
“I can’t tell you what Cecil Newton was thinking,” Zeit said. “What I do know is he told Kenny Rogers that it would take $180,000 to sign his son, and he told him, ‘This is how I want it done.’ “
Cam Newton eventually signed with Auburn, and the Heisman Trophy candidate has the Tigers in contention for the national championship.
No. 10 Alabama 63, Georgia State 7
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Greg McElroy completed 12-of-13 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and the Crimson Tide (9-2) scored its most points since a 66-3 win over Vanderbilt in 1979.
The Associated Press
