Ohio State’s Elliott offers apology
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott apologized for the critical comments he made Saturday about play calling after the Buckeyes’ 1714 loss to Michigan State and said it was the wrong time to make it known that he would not be returning to school next season.
In a long apology posted Monday on Twitter, Elliott said, “My intentions were not to point fingers at anyone for OUR failures. I was caught up in emotions. I hope everyone can understand how strongly I love this team and this university and how much I wanted to win that game but I do not regret anything I said.”
Buckeyes Coach Urban Meyer said Elliott would not be disciplined and that he agreed that the junior, who has rushed for 1,458 yards, should have carried the ball more than 12 times. Meyer said he wished Elliott’s comments would have been made in private instead of during a postgame interview, but that Elliott came to him and apologized.
Sooners’ Mayf ield suffered concussion
Oklahoma confirmed that quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a concussion in Saturday’s victory over Texas Christian but the Sooners are optimistic he will be able to play this week against Oklahoma State.
Mayfield took a helmetto-helmet hit from linebacker Ty Summers early in the second quarter. Mayfield finished the quarter but didn’t play in the second half after acknowledging that he had a headache.
Falk on mend
Injured Washington State quarterback Luke Falk was doing well and might be able to play in Friday’s Apple Cup against Washington, WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos said.
The Pac-12 passing leader appeared to suffer a head injury and was carried off the field during Washington State’s victory over Colorado on Saturday.
Firings
Syracuse fired Coach Scott Shafer two days after the team’s eighth consecutive loss. Shafer will coach Saturday’s season finale against Boston College. ... Montana State Coach Rob Ash was fired after nine seasons. His teams were 70-38 but only 2-7 against rival Montana. ... Austin Peay fired Kirby Cannon after a winless season left the Governors with a 1-34 record in his three seasons. ... Eastern Kentucky fired Coach Dean Hood, whose teams were 5538 in eight seasons.
Etc.
Nebraska Coach Mike Riley said that preparation for Friday’s game against third-ranked Iowa was “business as usual” while police and the university investigate a report of a sexual assault at a house shared by players. Riley said that quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., receiver Jordan Westerkamp and tight end Trey Foster would practice as usual this week. Asked if he had been assured there would be no university-imposed suspensions before the game, Riley said, “I haven’t been assured of anything.” ... Britain Covey, Utah’s leading receiver, will sit out Saturday’s season finale against Colorado after suffering a leg injury in last week’s 17-9 loss to UCLA. ... The NCAA football oversight committee will provide guidelines for matching bowls with sub.-500 teams if there are not enough bowleligible teams to fill the record 80 postseason spots available this year. ... Embattled Louisiana State Coach Les Miles told reporters that talk about his job security was “off limits.”