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Methodist College charges 7 with hazing

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A Methodist College player has been charged with sodomizing a teammate with a pen, and six others were charged with misdemeanor hazing.

Antonio Wilkerson, 21, a senior wide receiver from Ocala, was charged late Wednesday by campus police with second-degree sexual offense. He also faces a misdemeanor count of hazing.

Wilkerson appeared before a magistrate Thursday and was released on $5,000 bond. The other six were released without bond after an initial appearance.

Police said the hazing occurred after practice Monday inside the team's locker room. The players involved have been suspended from Saturday's game at Shenandoah.

Angel Garcia, 21, a senior linebacker from Tampa who played at Robinson High, was among those charged along with William Jamar Brown, 21, a senior defensive back from Auburndale; Crasten Davis, 23, a junior linebacker from Mebane, N.C.; Jamaal Legette, 21, a senior defensive end from Jacksonville, N.C.; William McPhaul, 21, a senior linebacker from Fayetteville; and Shawn Watkins, 21, a senior linebacker from Bethany Beach, Del.

Thursday's game

LOUISVILLE 20, SOUTHERN MISS 17 (2OT): Nate Smith kicked a 27-yard field goal, and Kurt Jones missed his fourth kick, a 32-yard attempt. The Cardinals (6-4, 4-2 Conference USA) beat the host Golden Eagles (6-4, 4-2) for the third straight season.

Louisville's Dave Ragone was sacked by Rod Davis for an 8-yard loss on the first play of the second OT, but he managed to convert a first down with two passes to Damien Dorsey. The drive stalled at the 10, but Smith's kick gave Louisville its first lead.

Southern Miss got to the 15 on its possession, but Jones, who missed a 46-yarder in the first overtime, pushed it wide right.

Louisville couldn't take advantage of Jones' first OT miss, fumbling the ball away when Ragone banged into his fullback. Rayshun Jones pounced on the loose ball for the Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss had a chance to take the lead with 2:02 left in regulation, but Kerry Rhodes leaped high over the line to block a 37-yard attempt by Jones.

Spartans QB apologizes

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker apologized for the substance-abuse problems that led to his suspension, and he shouldered some of the blame for the firing of coach Bobby Williams.

Smoker was suspended indefinitely Oct. 24 for violating team rules. Ten days later his family announced he was seeking treatment for abuse of an unspecified substance.

Smoker, who said he did not fail a drug test, said he was suspended when he told Williams he had a substance-abuse problem and needed help. He entered an "intensive" inpatient treatment program and will continue to be treated for at least a few more months.

Smoker's absence accelerated Michigan State's deterioration. The Spartans were ranked 15th after a 2-0 start but lost six of their next seven games.

"I understand that I not only affected myself, but many other people through this situation," Smoker said.

Williams was fired Nov. 4, two days after a 49-3 loss to Michigan -- the Spartan's most lopsided defeat since 1947.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Offensive lineman Mike Mabry (ankle injury) returned to practice. He plans to play Saturday against Kent State.

MARYLAND: Right tackle Matt Crawford (knee injury) is questionable against Clemson. Center Kyle Schmitt (stinger), who has been out three weeks, will return.

N.C. STATE: Running back T.A. McLendon (separated shoulder) and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (high ankle sprain) are doubtful against Virginia.

OHIO STATE: Former linebacker Marco Cooper was sentenced in Columbus to five years' probation on drug and weapons charges. He also was ordered to do 100 hours of community service, and his driver's license was suspended for six months.

TENNESSEE: Coach Phillip Fulmer said a decision would be made close to kickoff Saturday whether quarterback Casey Clausen (sprained right foot) would play.

VIRGINIA: Defensive coordinator Al Golden violated an NCAA rule when he attended the Penn State-Nebraska game in September. The NCAA will not punish Virginia because "it is a secondary violation, and we have handled the matter," athletic director Craig Littlepage said. ... Running back Alvin Pearman (knee injury) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

Awards

Maryland's E.J. Henderson, Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman and Notre Dame's Courtney Watson are finalists for the Butkus, given annually to the nation's top linebacker. ... Henderson, OU defensive tackle Tommie Harris, Texas defensive end Cory Redding and Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs are finalists for the Lombardi. ... Miami middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive tackle Matt Walters, Jacksonville tackle Kevin Womble and UCF receiver Jimmy Fryzel were named Verizon Academic All-District III first team. Florida tackle Ian Scott and linebacker Todd McCullough and UM cornerback Kelly Jennings were second-team picks.

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