College football

A dozen draw one-game suspensions for brawl

By wire services
Published November 30, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Six Clemson players and six South Carolina players were suspended one game by their conferences Monday for participating in a brawl during a game between the instate rivals on Nov. 20.

The Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference handed down the punishment.

"The actions of these suspended student-athletes violate the letter and spirit of the SEC and NCAA rules and regulations of sportsmanlike conduct," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said. "These suspensions are intended to send a clear and unequivocal message to all student-athletes in the Southeastern Conference that this conduct will not be tolerated now or in the future and those committing unsportsmanlike acts will be held accountable for their actions."

Both schools declined bowl invitations last week as punishment for their teams.

Suspended for Clemson were Duane Coleman, Nathan Bennett, Brandon Cannon, Roman Fry, Maurice Nelson and Anthony Waters. When the players will serve their suspensions will be left up to the team. The Tigers open the season against Texas A&M.

For South Carolina, Daccus Turman, Jermaine Sims, Freddy Saint-Preux, Woodly Telfort, Moe Thompson and Charles Silas must sit out South Carolina's opener against Central Florida.

Meanwhile, new Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier assembled his staff, tapping his son, Steve Spurrier Jr., to leave his position at Arizona and join him as receivers coach.

Mark Smith, with Spurrier at Florida and in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, will take over the strength program. Jamie Speronis, with Spurrier since his earliest days with the Gators, joins as director of football operations.

STANFORD FIRES COACH: Coach Buddy Teevens was fired after three straight losing seasons.

"It was an extremely difficult decision, but I simply felt that the program was in need of new direction and leadership," athletic director Ted Leland said.

Leland, a close friend of Teevens, met with the coach last week after the Cardinal finished 4-7 for the second straight season. Stanford lost 41-6 to archrival California on Nov. 20 for its fifth straight defeat, ending a season that began 4-2 with hopes of a bowl game.

Teevens, who had two years left on his contract, is the first Stanford coach to be fired since Jack Elway was dismissed in 1988 after going 3-6-2.

Leland said a search for a successor would begin immediately.

BCS UNCHANGED: Auburn needs an upset.

The Tigers are still stuck behind first-place Southern Cal and second-place Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series standings heading into the final weekend before the series' championship game is decided.

Third-place Auburn needs to beat Tennessee in the SEC title game Saturday and hope USC loses at UCLA or Oklahoma falls in the Big 12 title game against Colorado to have a shot at the BCS championship in the Orange Bowl.

USC improved its BCS grade to .9834 and padded its lead over the Sooners (.9611). The Tigers have a grade of .9342.

While Oklahoma and Auburn were idle last week, the Trojans beat Notre Dame 41-10 to regain some support in the Associated Press and coaches polls.

PAYTON AWARD: Quarterbacks Lang Campbell of William & Mary and Dustin Long of Sam Houston State and running back DaVon Fowlkes of Appalachian State are finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in Division I-AA.

TWO-WAY WINNER Diamond Ferri's all-around performance in Syracuse's win against Boston College was too good for one award. The starting strong safety became the first Big East player to earn player of the week honors on offense and defense in the same week. When tailback Damien Rhodes left in the first quarter, Ferri stepped in and ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns. He also made six tackles, four solo, and returned an interception 44 yards for another touchdown.

[Last modified November 30, 2004, 00:26:10]