EUGENE, Ore. — In just his second season leading Oregon, Chip Kelly is taking the second-ranked Ducks to the national championship game Jan. 10 against No. 1 Auburn — and for that he was voted AP coach of the year on Tuesday.
Kelly received 24 votes from the 60-member AP football poll panel to beat out his BCS title game counterpart, Auburn’s Gene Chizik, who received 17 votes.
Syracuse punter Long facing follow-up treatment
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse punter Rob Long will have to undergo post-operation treatment after doctors found malignant cells in a brain tumor removed a week ago.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with Rob,” coach Doug Marrone said. “He’s young, he’s healthy. Speaking with him, he’s in unbelievable spirits. I told him he has the whole football program and the university, the students, everyone behind him.”
Marrone said Long plans to be at the Pinstripe Bowl when Syracuse plays Kansas State on Dec. 30 at Yankee Stadium. Treatment will begin after the New Year.
Cunningham out with injury
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State will be without receiver B.J. Cunningham for the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl against Alabama after he broke his foot in practice.
Cunningham, who led the team with 50 receptions for 611 yards and nine touchdowns, hurt himself Saturday and had surgery the next day. The junior is expected to recover in time for spring practice.
Vols report violations
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee reported secondary violations to the NCAA after discovering 36 student-athletes were given special treatment at a Knoxville bar where a fight involving its football players broke out in July.
Tennessee athletics officials began investigating possible extra benefits after the owners of Bar Knoxville said after the July 9 bar brawl Vols athletes were not required to pay cover charges on Thursday nights when some other patrons were charged between $5 and $10.
The Associated Press
