TCU QB Duggan out after tests reveal health issue

TCU starting quarterback Max Duggan could miss at least the start of the season because of a previously undetected, life-long health issue that was revealed during preseason testing and has kept him out of practice.

Coach Gary Patterson wouldn' t reveal specifics about the issue, but said the sophomore quarterback was born with it. The undisclosed condition was discovered at a time when TCU has ramped up testing protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Because of all the things we had in place, Max has a condition that he's had his whole life, and we caught it," Patterson said Thursday night. "Right now he's in a good place and hopefully he'll be getting back some ti me during the season .... I' m just glad we found it; I can say that."

Duggan started TCU's final 10 games last season and played in all 12. He threw for 2,077 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while rushing for 555 yards and six more scores.

With Duggan out, sophomore Matthew Downing could start the season opener Sept. 12 against SMU. D owning completed 8 of 10 passes for 88 yards in four games for a Georgia as a freshman in 2018 before transferring to TCU, where he didn't play as a redshirt last season.

The Horned Frogs also have two other scholarship quarterbacks. Stephon Brown is a dual- threat transfer from Independence Community College, and freshman Eli Williams played only five games in his final high school season before a knee injury.

Big Ten parents protest decision to cancel fall sports

Parents of Big Ten football players, upset over the process that led to the postponement of the fall season, held a protest near the conference' s Chicago-area headquarters Fri day while an attorney in Nebraska demanded Commissioner Kevin Warren turnover material illustrating how the decision was made.

The Bi g Ten a nd Pac- 1 2 announced Aug. 11 that health and safety concerns over the coronavirus led them to shut down football this fall. The other three major conferences, the Atlantic Coast, Big 12 and Southeastern, are planning to play.

Groups of player parents from several Big Ten schools have complained that Warren was not forthcoming in explaining the process that led to the school presidents' decision. A more detailed explanation Warren offered in an open letter this week was not to their satisfaction.

Randy Wade, father of Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, organized the protest in suburban Rosemont. About two dozen parents representing Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin showed up. A few carried "Let Them Play" signs and the group chanted, "Let us play!"

The protest started with a 17-second moment of silence to recognize the 170,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19.

"We do respect there' s a pandemic out here," Wade said, waving off critics of the parents' movement who say the moms and dads are willing to put their sons at risk so they can play football.

Extra points

NORTHWESTERN: Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater plans to enter the NFL draft and skip his senior season.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks lost one of its most anticipated offensive newcomers for the season after tailback MarShawn Lloyd tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at practice.