Spartans starting CB out of action
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott is expected to miss two months after a non-contact injury. That announcement was made when the Spartans held their annual media day Monday. Scott started 12 games as a freshman.
“An injury-related situation,” Dantonio said. “Two months or less, two months or more, we’ll see.”
Dantonio didn’t elaborate on the injury. He said defensive end Dillon Alexander also went down with a noncontact injury. Alexander’s injury was to his foot.
The Spartans had high hopes for their secondary, with starters Khari Willis, David Dowell, Justin Layne and Scott all back. Now it appears they’ll be without Scott for a while.
“We understand that he’s going to be back. He’s got to take some time to get healthy, but we have a lot of guys,” Willis said.”
Florida State
Florida State opens preseason camp under new coach Willie Taggart with a familiar theme — a quarterback battle. Two quarterbacks with starting experience, Deondre Francois and James Blackman, are competing with Bailey Hockman for the right to start the opener against Virginia Tech. “When they decide to separate themselves and make it a no-brainer is when we’ll make that decision,” said Taggart, who arrived at Florida State after coaching a year at Oregon. “It’s going to be pretty cool to watch them go do their thing.”
Clemson
Dabo Swinney has built Clemson into an every-year power with regular College Football Playoff appearances and a recent national championship. None of that could’ve happened without first asserting control of the ACC. The Tigers open practice this week with two league losses in three seasons and as the overwhelming favorite to become the first team to win four consecutive ACC titles since Florida State’s similar romp through the 1990s.
William & Mary
The school said head coach Jimmye Laycock will retire after his 39th season. Laycock told the team of his plans Sunday night, on the eve of practice. Laycock, 70, has guided the Tribe to 245 victories, five conference titles and 10 appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. William & Mary twice reached the semifinals, in 2004 and 2009, and his overall coaching record is a 245-189-2.