Oklahoma back faces charges
A woman accused Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson of sexual assault in a petition for a protective order, a claim Anderson’s attorney called “patently false” in a statement Tuesday. The woman sought a protective order in Cleveland County (Okla.) district court Monday, and the contents of the filing were made public Tuesday. She said Anderson attempted to digitally penetrate her and bit her, according to the order. The alleged incident took place Nov. 16 at the woman’s apartment after she met Anderson at a bar, although in the filing she said she only recalled what allegedly took place after a conversation with a friend this past weekend. USA TODAY doesn’t disclose the names of alleged victims of sexual assault. Anderson is the Sooners’ top rusher. The school faces Georgia in a national semifinal, the Rose Bowl, on Jan. 1. Reached Tuesday, the Oklahoma athletics department said it was gathering information.
❚ Willie Taggart is returning to the Sunshine State. Taggart has agreed to become Florida State’s football coach, replacing Jimbo Fisher. Taggart told his Oregon players Tuesday that he was leaving. Taggert coached at South Florida for four seasons before going to Oregon. The Bradenton native has a 47-50 career record, including 7-5 this season.
❚ Three days after Scott Frost left for Nebraska, Central Florida has found a new football coach. The school announced Tuesday the hiring of Missouri offensive coordinator Josh Heupel.
Heupel played quarterback at Oklahoma and led the Sooners to a national title in 2000. He was an assistant at the school for nine seasons, including four years as co-offensive coordinator.
❚ A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the killing of Lo
renzen Wright, the basketball standout whose body was found in 2010, according to a document. Billy Turner, 46, has been charged with first-degree murder. He was indicted Tuesday. Authorities confirmed last month that they had found a gun thought to be the murder weapon in a Walnut, Miss., area lake.