Benson crash investigation continues
Police in Austin, Texas, said yesterday they still are investigating the weekend motorcycle crash that killed former Texas Longhorns running back and NFL player Cedric Benson and a woman passenger.
According to police, witnesses said Benson was driving his BMW motorcycle at a high rate of speed through a curving, hilly section of the city Saturday night when he collided with a van that was attempting a left turn.
Police said a passenger in the van and a bystander attempted to help Benson, 36, and his passenger, 27year-old Aamna Najam. Both died at the scene.
Police said the van driver is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been filed.
Benson is the secondleading rusher in Texas history with 5,540 yards. He was drafted No. 4 overall by Chicago in 2005 and played eight seasons in the NFL with the Bears, the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers.
Wisconsin WR back
Former Wisconsin receiver Quintez Cephus was cleared to return to school after a jury acquitted him of sexual assault charges, though it was unclear when he will be eligible to play in a game.
The school announced chancellor Rebecca Blank’s decision in a statement that said the university had obtained information that wasn’t provided during a student conduct review. The statement said sanctions against Cephus have been “reduced” and his expulsion had been lifted, though some conduct violations were upheld. The statement didn’t elaborate.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst has said he would welcome Cephus back and the athletic department confirmed Cephus had officially rejoined the team. But in its own statement, the department said it was “working through eligibility issues before he can participate in a game.” The opener for the 19th-ranked Badgers is Aug. 30 at South Florida . ...
Oklahoma named Jalen Hurts its starting quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener against Houston.
Hurts played in three national championship games for Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2017 national title. He transferred to Oklahoma in January and has won the job over redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai and true freshman Spencer Rattler . ...
Arkansas State football coach Blake Anderson is taking a leave of absence while his wife fights cancer.
Avs sign Nichushkin
The Colorado Avalanche agreed to a one-year deal with forward Valeri Nichushkin. The 24-year-old had 10 assists and no goals in 57 games last season with the Dallas Stars. He has 23 goals and 51 assists in 223 career games while in Dallas.
Nichushkin was brought in by the Avalanche to add “experience to our team,” general manager Joe Sakic said. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick by the Stars in 2013.
USA vs. Cuba in DC
The United States’ home game against Cuba in the first CONCACAF Nations League will be played Oct. 11 at Audi Field in Washington. The U.S. Soccer Federation has yet to say where the Nov. 15 home match against Canada will be played . ...
The Atlanta Hawks promoted general manager Travis Schlenk to president of basketball operations . ...
Jim Hardy, the oldest living University of Southern California and Los Angeles Rams football player who was the MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl, died at age 96.