Beanie Wells didn't play. The Ohio Bobcats sure did. Lightly regarded even in the Mid-American Conference, Ohio put a scare into No. 3 Ohio State before the Buckeyes righted things in the fourth quarter and went on to win 26-14 Saturday.

As West Virginia quarterback Pat White was ascending into the national spotlight two years ago, East Carolina's Patrick Pinkney was dropping almost out of sight.

As the 20th-ranked Demon Deacons host Mississippi today at BB&T Field, the whole offensive line is trying to portray an image of cool in the face of pointed questions about chemistry, depth, experience and ability.

After getting knocked off last year by the "sorriest team in the SEC," South Carolina players vowed they would not overlook Vanderbilt.

Nate Davis passed for 326 yards and four touchdowns and Ball State's defense repeatedly came up with big stops in the second half in a 35-23 victory over Navy on Friday night at Muncie, Ind.

Tennessee fullback Kevin Cooper didn't expect to get to do as much as he did in the Volunteers' opening game against UCLA.

There's an easier path to football success than the one East Carolina has chosen. Pirates coach Skip Holtz and athletic director Terry Holland have lined up brand-name regional opponents for the next eight seasons.

A safety last season, the UNC sophomore's switch to running back is paying off.

Considering North Carolina's inconsistencies last weekend and its upcoming Thursday night test at Rutgers, coach Butch Davis said this weekend's open date comes "at a good time."

Starting running back Jamelle Eugene will miss his second-straight football game because of an ankle injury when N.C. State plays host to William & Mary on Saturday, but quarterback Russell Wilson has not been ruled out of the game.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will not play when the third-ranked Buckeyes take on Ohio on Saturday.

With spread offenses flourishing, N.C. State turns to Robbie Leonard, a 218-pound strong-side linebacker. It's part of a trend as defensive coaches trade size for speed at linebacker.

Duke running back Re'quan Boyette couldn't help but hurt Saturday as his team warmed up for its season-opener without him. That is, until he watched friend and teammate Clifford Harris rush for a career-high 95 yards.

When T.J. Lee picked up his cell phone after Saturday's 27-22 victory over Virginia Tech, he already had 32 messages.

Sophomore Christian Ponder wins a three-way battle at quarterback for the Seminoles, who open Saturday against Western Carolina.

Wake Forest wide receiver Chip Brinkman waited five seasons before catching his first career touchdown pass against Baylor last week.

Sports Briefs:Duke will host the 11th annual Duke Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Other teams in the tournament are Colgate, Georgia and Seton Hall.

LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.

Tennessee point guard Cait McMahan has had another surgery on her right knee. The Vols announced Wednesday that the redshirt sophomore had a successful arthroscopic scope on her knee to relieve pain.

When T.J. Lee picked up his cell phone after Saturday's 27-22 victory over Virginia Tech, he already had 32 messages.

Sophomore wins 3-way battle at QB.

Wake receiving corps catching on.

Sports Briefs:DUKE HOSTS INVITATIONAL: Duke will host the 11th annual Duke Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Other teams in the tournament are Colgate, Georgia and Seton Hall.

LSU POSTPONES GAME: LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.

LADY VOLS' McMAHAN HAS SURGERY: Tennessee point guard Cait McMahan has had another surgery on her right knee. The Vols announced Wednesday that the redshirt sophomore had a successful arthroscopic scope on her knee to relieve pain and repair a small

The Atlantic Coast Conference released its 2008-09 women's college basketball schedule on Tuesday, providing a first look at what's ahead for the Triangle's teams.

Three days after North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate had a career-long pass reception (57 yards) and punt return (82 yards) and also matched his career-long rush (54 yards), he was still receiving text messages and congratulations -- for the win and his marks.