KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — TENNESSEE Brown clears
Tennessee freshman tailback Bryce Brown will not be punished as the result of an NCAA investigation into his eligibility, Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday.
"I think that that's a heck of a deal by the NCAA to get it done right and get it done with a sense of urgency, so we're very grateful for that," Kiffin said.
The NCAA was reviewing whether money was improperly raised for Brown to visit colleges and football camps during his sophomore year of high school. Tennessee was not recruiting him at the time.
Kiffin said the NCAA was considering a four-game suspension and a hefty fine as punishment initially, but continued to review the case until deciding to drop it.
The coach said he spoke with NCAA officials and Brown wrote a letter to the organization arguing his case.
"I think that's something that in recruiting over the years you know is very common. People or towns assist players as they grow up," Kiffin said. "That's something that goes on a lot, and I'm sure that weighed into it, but by no means was it something Bryce was doing knowing that it would be wrong." GEORGIA Not quite ready
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's starters had a surprise when they ran onto the Sanford Stadium field for Wednesday's scrimmage.
The scoreboard showed Oklahoma State held a 21-0 lead in what Coach Mark Richt billed as a practice game for the 13th-ranked Bulldogs' Sept. 5 opener against the ninth-ranked Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla.
"I wanted a little sense of urgency for both sides of the ball," Richt said in explaining his decision to spot the "Oklahoma State" scout team the threetouchdown lead.
The practice game covered only one half, leaving new first-string quarterback Joe Cox limited time to lead the comeback. The starters rallied for a 27-24 victory over the scout team but did not impress Richt.
"I'd say overall my feeling was we're not quite ready to beat Oklahoma State today," Richt said. "It's a good thing we've got 10 more days to prepare." FLORIDA Jenkins out
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins missed practice Wednesday because of a sprained left ankle.
Jenkins, a 6-1, 200-pound freshman from Maryland, injured his ankle during practice Tuesday. X-rays were negative, Coach Urban Meyer said. Jenkins had been hobbling around campus on crutches, but was wearing a protective walking boot during practice Wednesday.
Jenkins is the fifth linebacker to miss practice time this month, joining Dustin Doe (suspension), Brandon Hicks (ankle), Jon Bostic (trapezius muscle) and Brendan Beal (neck). Hicks is the only starter in the group.
Meyer also said Wednesday that receiver Carl Moore and cornerback Jeremy Brown are still sidelined after having undisclosed back procedures last week. Brown is closer to returning than Moore, Meyer said.
Moore, a senior who caught 14 passes for 184 yards and 1 touchdown last season and had been expected to play a bigger role this fall, might not be able to help for some time.
"I'm worried about that one," Meyer said. "It's just his back. They had a little procedure. It's a little more significant procedure than ... I'd give you the term, but I don't know what it was. Something about the nerves in his back. It's still going to be a little while until he's ready."
Sports, Pages 22 on 08/27/2009