Kelly disappointed, embarrassed, angered by arrests

SOUTH BEND, IND. >> Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says his first reaction to six players being arrested over the weekend was disappointment.

Kelly says he reacted like any father would, saying after feeling disappointment he then felt embarrassment. He says then he was “mad as hell.”

Five players were charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after being stopped for allegedly speeding in Fulton County, about 40 miles south of South Bend. Three face an additional misdemeanor charge of possession of an unlicensed handgun

In a separate incident, cornerback Devin Butler was accused of tackling a police officer and punching him during an altercation outside a bar near campus. Butler had been suspended indefinitely from the team. Kelly kicked starting safety Max Refield off the team.

Kelly said Wednesday the other four players are practicing with the team and will be available to play in the opener against Texas unless the university takes action. • Washington State safety Shalom Luani has been arrested after being accused of breaking a man’s nose during a dispute outside a pizza restaurant in Pullman, Wash.

Pullman police say the senior was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of second-degree assault, a felony, and released. • South Carolina punter Sean Kelly has applied for a pre-trial intervention program on a charge of public disorderly conduct while a second charge of malicious injury to property was dismissed by a municipal court Wednesday.

Kelly was arrested and charged earlier this month. Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said at the time he would handle Kelly’s discipline within the team and that the senior would not miss any time.

QBs: Transfer wins battle to be Virginia’s starter

Transfer Kurt Benkert has won the battle to be Virginia’s starting quarterback.

First-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall made the announcement Wednesday.

A transfer from East Carolina, Benkert beat out incumbent Matt Johns and Connor Brewer, both fifth-year seniors, for the job. Johns started all 12 games last season and threw 20 touchdown passes, but also was intercepted 17 times. •Senior Ryan Burns will start at quarterback for Stanford in the No. 8 Cardinal’s opener against Kansas State.

Coach David Shaw announced the decision after practice Wednesday, also saying junior quarterback Keller Chryst would see action against the Wildcats at home Sept. 2.

Burns played in four games last season, but did not throw a pass. He rushed for 13 yards.

Ex-Illini coach working at UNC as volunteer assistant

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. >> Former Illinois coach Tim Beckman is working as a volunteer assistant with No. 22 North Carolina’s defense.

UNC team spokesman Kevin Best said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press that Beckman can scout and evaluate film. He can interact with players but cannot instruct them as a coach.

Illinois fired Beckman shortly before the 2015 opener after a law firm hired by the university concluded he interfered in player medical decisions and pressured players to play through injuries.