OMAHA, Neb. — NEBRASKA
Pelini to get talking-to
Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman isn’t happy with Coach Bo Pelini’s behavior.
Perlman told The Associated Press on Sunday that Pelini’s verbal assault of officials during Saturday’s game at Texas A&M did not reflect well on the university or the football program.
“I think it was very unfortunate,” Perlman said, “and I think it’s something we’ll have to address with Bo.”
The game was televised on ABC, and Perlman said he felt uneasy about the numerous camera shots of Pelini’s outbursts. Perlman spoke Sunday morning with Athletic Director Tom Osborne about Pelini’s conduct, and the chancellor said he, Osborne or both would talk to Pelini about his decorum.
Perlman wouldn’t speculate on whether disciplinary action would be taken.
“Bo has a lot of passion for his football team,” Perlman said, “and there is a strong upside to that. But again, overall, the conduct was unfortunate last night.”
Pelini declined to comment Sunday.
The Cornhuskers were penalized 16 times for 145 yards in the 9-6 loss. Pelini was seen yelling at officials after many of the penalties, and he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct early in the fourth quarter.
Pelini also was seen ripping into quarterback Taylor Martinez, who was standing on the sideline after receiving treatment for an aggravation of his right ankle sprain.
After the game, Pelini declined to comment on the reason for his confrontation with Martinez. The redshirt freshman showed no emotion as the coach yelled at him, pointed his left index finger at him and poked him just above the collar. Perlman said he doesn’t know why Pelini became unhinged at Martinez.
“There is a part of the culture of intercollegiate athletics that involves coaches talking strongly to players,” Perlman said. “That’s unfortunate it had to happen on national television. I think that probably occurs in a lot of programs.”
According to media reports, Pelini chased after referee Greg Burks before shaking hands with Aggies coach Mike Sherman.
Pelini has a well-earned reputation for being rough on officials, but he seemed to show a higher level of volatility Saturday night. The Huskers needed to win to clinch the Big 12 North title.
Asked whether he or Osborne had spoken with Pelini in the past about toning down his sideline demeanor, Perlman said, “I’m not going to comment on that.”
Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda said he didn’t know whether the conference would have grounds to take disciplinary action against Pelini.
USC
Golf-cart driver warned
LOS ANGELES - Southern California says officials from its athletic department met with the student who provided the golf-cart ride to freshman tailback Dillon Baxter before the incident and told him it was against NCAA rules.
Baxter missed USC’s 36-7 loss at Oregon State on Saturday night after the contact with Teague Egan, the CEO of 1st Round Enterprises. ESPN.com reported Sunday night that Egan is registered as a contract adviser with the NFL Players Association, and 1st Round Enterprises advertises services for athletes that include contract negotiations and endorsement deals.
The school says three senior officials met with Egan before Baxter’s free ride Thursday and told him the cart trips would be against NCAA rules.
TENNESSEE
Vols QB arrested for DUI
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Coach Derek Dooley has suspended quarterback Doak Raulston after the redshirt freshman was charged with DUI.
Raulston, a 20-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, is sitting out this season after transferring to Tennessee from Louisiana Tech, where Volunteers coach Derek Dooley was last season. He is not a part of the Volunteers’ travel roster and therefore was not expected to travel with the team to Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Dooley says Raulston’s suspension is indefinite and the quarterback will not practice with the team. He says he’s disappointed in Raulston’s decision and arrest Saturday and expects him to pay some consequences.
WVLT reports Raulston posted a $1,000 bond and is due to appear in Knox County Sessions Court on Monday.
KENT STATE
Coach resigns
KENT, Ohio - Kent State coach Doug Martin is resigning effective after the team’s final game Friday against Ohio.
Martin announced his decision on Sunday through an e-mail sent out by the school’s sports information office.
Kent State is 4-7 heading into Friday’s home game against the Bobcats, leaving his record at 28-53 in seven seasons with the Flashes. He joined the staff in 2003 as the offensive coordinator under Dean Pees before being promoted to head coach on March 1, 2004.
Martin’s best season at Kent State ended in a 6-6 record in 2006, a five-game improvement over the previous year.
Martin told Athletic Director Joel Nielsen of his decision on Sunday afternoon.
Sports, Pages 18 on 11/22/2010