CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami’s internal investigation has determined that several football players, including quarterback Jacory Harris, are believed to have committed NCAA violations by associating with booster Nevin Shapiro and have been declared ineligible.
The Miami Herald reported Thursday that eight players were ineligible.
Under NCAA rules, when a school finds violations, the athlete usually is declared ineligible and the NCAA begins a reinstatement process. The NCAA also will decide if that player needs to miss any games. Miami opens the season at Maryland on Sept. 5.
• Two employees of the bar where LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and three teammates are accused of injuring four people in a parking lot brawl said one of the victims “threw the first punch” last week shortly after he had been escorted outside by staff.
Another witness told police she witnessed several LSU players beating patron Andrew Lowery and saw Jefferson kick him in the face.
Also, LSU suspended speedy receiver Russell Shepard for its Sept. 3 season opener against Oregon for violating university and NCAA codes by discussing an NCAA inquiry with a teammate who was scheduled to be interviewed about the same matter.
• Texas A&M took another step toward leaving the Big 12, formally telling the conference it was exploring all its options.
• Clemson receiver Joe Craig will miss the first three games of the season as punishment for a fight with a female teammate on the Tigers track team.
• Former Toledo running back Quinton Broussard pleaded guilty in a sports-bribery investigation, admitting he accepted more than $2,000 from a Detroit-area gambler, including $500 to fumble against Texas-El Paso in the 2005 GMAC Bowl.
California advances to U.S. LLWS final
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Hagen Danner homered and struck out 12, and Huntington Beach, Calif., spoiled the Pennsylvania party at the Little League World Series with a 2-0 victory over the hometown heroes from Clinton County. California will face Billings, Mont., in the U.S. final Saturday.
Japan advanced to the international final against Mexico with a 9-6 victory over Maracay, Venezuela.
Couples picks Woods for Presidents Cup team
SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Fred Couples took the drama out of the debate over whether Tiger Woods would be on the 12-member Presidents Cup team, saying it’s already a done deal for the Nov. 14-20 competition.
“I’ve told him that he’s going to be on the team,” Couples said. “There is no reason for me to wait till Sept. 26 to pick Tiger. He’s the best player in the world forever.”
• Harrison Frazar led an onslaught of birdies on rain-softened Plainfield Country Club, shooting a 7-under-par 64 as the threat of Hurricane Irene cast an ominous cloud at The Barclays in Edison, N.J.
Vijay Singh overcame a double bogey early in his round for a 65 and was tied with Jonathan Byrd.
A total of 51 players did not finish the round because it was too dark to continue.
Footnotes.
Sidney Crosby‘s agent said there’s no timetable for the Pittsburgh Penguins star to return from a concussion, the clearest indication yet he might not be ready when the NHL season begins in October.
• NBA officials and the players association will meet early next week in hopes of making progress in their collective bargaining talks.
• Asafa Powell has been ruled out of the 100 meters at the world championships because of a groin injury, eliminating defending champion Usain Bolt‘s biggest rival this weekend in Daegu, South Korea.
• Liquigas carried Peter Sagan to the sixth-stage victory at the Spanish Vuelta, and French cyclist Sylvain Chavanel kept the overall leader’s red jersey for a third straight day.
The Associated Press
