Washington State coordinator resigns
Washington State defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys resigned two weeks after the Cougars gave up 50 points in the second half of an epic 67-63 loss to UCLA.
Coach Mike Leach announced the resignation Friday. The school said Roc Bellantoni and Darcel McBath will run the defense on an interim basis.
“The defense has struggled and I am responsible,” Claeys tweeted.
The loss was one of the biggest blown leads in college football history. Washington State led 49-17 early in the third quarter but UCLA stormed back, scoring seven touchdowns in eight possessions, fueled by Cougars turnovers. The Cougars lost 38-13 at Utah last week.
Claeys was formerly the head coach at Minnesota and was hired by Washington State in January 2018.
Washington State (3-2) has a bye this week and plays at Arizona State on Oct. 12.
UCF streak snapped
Ahmad Gardner returned an interception for a go-ahead touchdown and Cincinnati clamped down on freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel and No. 18 Central Florida’s high-scoring offense for a 27-24 victory that ended the Knights’ streak of 19 conference wins.
Gabriel came in leading the American Athletic Conference in passing efficiency but finished 25 for 46 for 297 yards with three interceptions. The Knights had scored at least 30 points in their last 31 games, the longest such Football Bowl Subdivision streak since 1936.
Banks commits to Arizona State
Harbor City Narbonne linebacker Jordan Banks announced his commitment to Arizona State.
Banks becomes the ninth Narbonne player committed to a Power 5 program, including the third Gaucho to commit to Arizona State. — Shotgun Spratling
Modster to start
California, turning to Devon Modster with Chase Garbers out indefinitely, has seen what the junior quarterback transfer from Mission Viejo can do.
Modster was UCLA’s quarterback two seasons back when the Golden Bears visited Pasadena and fell 3027. Modster passed for 191 yards after replacing Josh Rosen at halftime and moved the Bruins into position for J.J. Molson’s gamewinning field goal.
Modster will be Cal’s starter Saturday when the Golden Bears (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) visit No. 13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0).
Etc.
Oregon announced this week that ex-USC receiver Devon Williams transferred into the program. The former four-star recruit played for the Trojans last season and appeared in a game for them this year before entering the transfer portal . ... Jeremy Banks was dismissed from Tennessee’s team after video showed him cursing and saying “where I’m from, we shoot at cops” during his arrest last month. ... Oklahoma kicker Calum Sutherland was suspended indefinitely following last month’s arrest on a public intoxication charge.