CINCINNATI -- Zach Collaros took a snap in shotgun formation, faked a handoff and drifted back in the pocket. As the defense closed in, he stepped forward nimbly and threw an on-target spiral down the middle of the field.
Exactly five weeks after he had a plate and two screws implanted in his broken right ankle, Cincinnati's senior quarterback went through a full practice for the first time Monday with no setbacks and little hesitation.
It was a strong indication that Collaros could be back for the Liberty Bowl appearance Dec. 31 against Vanderbilt.
"He made it through the entire practice and we really pushed him," coach Butch Jones said. "Now we'll see how his body responds. (Today) will tell a lot. But it was very, very encouraging."
The Bearcats were in control of the Big East until Collaros broke the ankle while getting sacked during a loss to West Virginia. Cincinnati finished with a share of the regular-season title, but the Mountaineers got the Bowl Championship Series bowl based on the tiebreakers.
Although Collaros had hoped he might be ready to play in the bowl game, he knew the odds were against it. He spent eight hours a day in rehabilitation and wound up so far ahead of schedule he surprised himself.
Memphis: Coach Justin Fuente has announced the hiring of five assistants, led by his new defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who spent the past nine years at his alma mater, Missouri. Fuente's other new coaches include Holman Wiggins, Vance Vice and James Shibest. Fuente also announced he has retained Galen Scott, who worked at Memphis the past two years coaching linebackers and as co-defensive coordinator.
Michigan State: Offensive lineman Arthur Ray has won the Courage Award given by the Football Writers Association of America for his comeback from cancer in his left leg. He played in three games this season after having had nine surgeries - including four bone grafts - had chemotherapy and dealt with several outbreaks of infection.
Oklahoma State: Cowch Mike Gundy said he has suspended freshman defensive tackle Christian Littlehead for the Fiesta Bowl. Littlehead and senior offensive lineman Jonathan Rush were charged this month with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after university police said they found two smoking devices in the players' campus residence. Rush is out for the season with a knee injury suffered Sept. 24 against Texas A&M.
Penn State: Interim coach Tom Bradley said he interviewed Friday with the committee searching for a replacement for ousted Hall of Famer Joe Paterno, though he doesn't know when the school might come to a decision.
Paterno was released from the hospital Sunday, a week after breaking his pelvis again following a fall at home, a person close to his family told The Associated Press.
Southeastern Louisiana: Ron Roberts, who worked at Tusculum before guiding Delta State to four appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, will be the next coach. The University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors must approve the appointment.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies will host Austin Peay of the Ohio Valley Conference on Sept. 8, 2012. Virginia Tech will be the Governors' third Bowl Championship Series opponent. Austin Peay played at Wisconsin last year and Cincinnati this season.
Wayne State: Coach Paul Winters is withdrawing from consideration for the Akron job and has signed an extension to stay with the Warriors through 2016. Winters's team lost to Pittsburg State last weekend in the NCAA Division II title game.
