Seton Hall’s Willard benched amid probe
The NCAA has launched an investigation into the basketball program at No 12 Seton Hall.
The university announced the probe Tuesday, saying coach Kevin Willard is sitting out the Pirates’ exhibition against Misericordia that night and the season opener on Nov. 5 against Wagner.
Seton Hall didn’t say what the NCAA enforcement staff was investigating, but it was working with the ruling body for college sports. The school said in a statement it was being proactive in its review.
Assistant coach Grant Billmeier will coach the team for the two games Willard is out.
The Big East school, which has made the last four NCAA Tournaments, said Willard is responsible for the program, including the infraction that’s being investigated.
BENGALS BENCH DALTON
The 0-8 Cincinnati Bengals have appeared to finally pull the plug on their season from hell.
On Tuesday, the team benched starting quarterback Andy Dalton.
Dalton started 128 games for the franchise since he was drafted by them in 2011. Ryan Finley, a rookie drafted in the fourth round, will take over as the team’s starting quarterback.
If this is indeed the end of Dalton’s time as the starting quarterback in Cincinnati, he’ll at least leave the team as one of their most accomplished quarterbacks ever.
He’s second in franchise history in passing yards (30,352), tied for first in touchdown passes (197), and is first in passer rating (88) among all Bengals quarterbacks to throw at least 1,000 passes for the team.
RAMS DEAL TALIB
The Los Angeles Rams traded cornerback Aqib Talib and a fifth-round pick in 2020 to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday for an undisclosed future draft choice.
The 33-year-old Talib is on injured reserve with a rib injury. The 12-year veteran defensive back might not play again this season, and might never play for the rebuilding Dolphins, who continue to stockpile draft picks.
Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse was charged Tuesday with multiple gun and alcohol counts after authorities say he was driving impaired while a loaded handgun containing more than two dozen rounds was on the floor of his car.
The 25-year-old Kearse was arrested early Sunday after he drove his car onto a closed portion of Interstate 94 in Minneapolis.
Prosecutors charged him with five counts, including a gross misdemeanor charge of carrying a gun without a permit. The other four counts were misdemeanors, including two drunken driving counts.
The Jaguars have placed receiver Marqise Lee on injured reserve for the second straight season, likely signaling the end of his time in Jacksonville.