Player mistaken for bank robber

‘Unfortunate timing’ for police

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A University of Iowa football player says he was playing “Pokemon Go” in a public park when he was mistaken for a suspected bank robber, surrounded by police and searched at gunpoint.

Faith Ekakitie writes on Facebook that he feared for his life Wednesday in Iowa City. He explains that a bank had been robbed nearby and that he matched the suspect’s description of a “large black male, wearing all black, with something on top of his head.” He says he was wearing goggles on his head at the time.

Ekakitie says he understands why police did what they did. He says he had headphones in and didn’t respond to police commands. He thanks Iowa City police for their professionalism.

A police spokesman chalks up the episode to “unfortunate timing.”

MEDIA DAYS

Sun Belt: Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson won’t rule out Big 12 expansion plans affecting his own conference.

Still, Benson called the Sun Belt’s planned membership “perfect” in terms of geography, and he stressed that he envisions a period of stability in which member institutions will enjoy budding regional rivalries and see their football programs prosper.

“I truly hope that we can focus on 2016, what we know, what we can control, what we can achieve — and not get bogged down in speculation and rumors about conference membership,” Benson said Monday in his state-of-the-Sun Belt address at the conference’s annual preseason football media day. “Obviously, if the Big 12 or SEC or ACC made that phone call to a Sun Belt president or chancellor, he or she would be foolish not to have that discussion.

Penn State: Penn State coach James Franklin sees an improved team in Happy Valley — and a program that can’t escape the shadow cast by the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Franklin made some pointed comments about negative recruiting against the Nittany Lions, saying there are issues that need to be addressed possibly at the conference level.

“I think there’s a fine line to that,” he said at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. “I think some things need to be addressed. I do think there’s a line you do not cross. But I guess in some ways that’s the nature of the beast. I think some people are going to look for weaknesses and try to take advantage of those. But to me, there is a line that you do not cross. We’ll see how that whole thing plays out. There is a time and a place for everything.”

BRIEFLY:

Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins was given a $300,000 raise this year and has a chance to make $1 million annually. Only nine assistant coaches made $1 million in 2015, according to USA Today.

Florida quarterback Treon Harris has decided to transfer, looking for a fresh start after two tumultuous seasons in Gainesville.

The Gators confirmed Monday that Harris has been granted his release from scholarship. He is the seventh quarterback to leave Florida in the last four years.

It’s unknown where Harris will land. His time in Gainesville included three suspensions and nearly as many turnovers as touchdown passes. “I think it’s been a solid year, and I think had last year not happened I’d be having a lot of positive questions,” Jordan Spieth said after the British Open.