COWBOYS’ ALLEN A QB TO WATCH

Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen has been named to the Manning Award preseason watch list.

The award is presented by the Sugar Bowl to the nation’s top college quarterback after the postseason.

Allen is one of 30 initial nominees for the award.

As a sophomore in 2016, Allen ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 20 in the NCAA with 28 touchdown passes.

Clemson QB is probably Bryant.

S.C.» Clemson CLEMSON, coach Dabo Swinney said junior Kelly Bryant probably will start at quarterback in the national champion’s season opener against Kent State on Sept. 2.

Bryant has competed with freshmen Zerrick Cooper and Hunter Johnson for the starting spot held by All-American Deshaun Watson the past three seasons.

Swinney said Bryant has made good decisions and played well throughout camp. As long as Bryant does not go backward the next couple of weeks, he’ll open the season as starter against the Golden Flashes at Death Valley.

Bryant was third string behind Watson and Nick Schussler the past two seasons. Bryant is 13-of-22 for 75 yards while rushing for 178 yards in 12 career games.

Blue Devils safety out indefinitely.

N.C.» Duke DURHAM, said starting safety Jeremy McDuffie is out indefinitely after having surgery on his broken right thumb.

Team spokesman Art Chase said that McDuffie had the operation Tuesday.

The junior has 34 tackles and one interception in 24 career games. He entered preseason camp as the starter at the team’s “strike” safety position.

Review: Minnesota properly followed law.

An outside review says the University of Minnesota followed law and policy properly when it suspended 10 football players last year following an accusation of sexual assault.

The review released Wednesday blamed “weak leadership” by the coaching staff for a threat by remaining players to boycott the Holiday Bowl. The Dorsey and Whitney law firm’s review also says administrators and regents could have done a better job managing the threatened boycott.

A student accused several players of sexually assaulting her at a party last September. Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence. But the university suspended the players following an internal investigation.

Coach Tracy Claeys backed the boycott, but players ultimately decided to play and beat Washington State 17-12. Claeys was fired a week later.