Oregon suspends RB LeGarrette Blount for season

By ANNE M. PETERSON (AP) – 12 minutes ago

EUGENE, Ore. — A day after Oregon’s college football season opened, it ended for running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount was suspended for all remaining games on Friday for punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the jaw following the 16th-ranked Ducks’ 19-8 loss to the 14th-ranked Broncos the night before. Read the full story

NATCHITOCHES – Bradley Dale Peveto has been well received by his Northwestern State football players in his first season as the Demons’ head coach, but his popularity spiked Thursday when he called off practice.

The day after the last of three major preseason scrimmages for Northwestern, Peveto and his staff watched tape of the Wednesday night “Meet the Demons Scrimmage” and decided to give the team a break. It was music to the Demons’ ears. Read the full story

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/09/01/favre.vikings.texans/index.html?eref=sihpT1

Favre passes latest preseason test

HOUSTON — “Two weeks ago,” Brett Favre said, walking out of Reliant Stadium late Monday night, “I was weed-eatin.’ I mean, to come out here and move around this way and make a few throws, I’m pretty happy with it.”

Favre should be. But he’ll be sore in the morning. And that’s the crux of this Brett Favre Survival Season for the Minnesota Vikings. Already he has sore ribs, exacerbated by an illegal crackback block he laid on the knee of Houston safety Eugene Wilson in the third quarter of Monday’s 17-10 win over the Texans. He’s playing with a partially torn rotator cuff and chronically sore ankles. He took two sacks against Houston and got rattled around a couple more times.

Right now, 12 days before the Vikings play games that count, Favre’s like the rest of us: He doesn’t know if he can last an 18th full season.

“That’s the question,” he said. “I don’t know.”

For the first time in his life, the odds might be against him lasting 16 games. But if he can, some pretty special things could happen. That was evident in the first quarter against Houston. On the first scrimmage play of the game, Favre turned and handed to the best running back in the league, Adrian Peterson, and Peterson cut right, planted his foot and won a footrace up the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown. On the ensuing series, the Vikings’ stout run defense stopped Steve Slaton twice, and Jared Allen sacked Matt Schaub. Three and out.

Two Wildcat direct snaps to rookie phenom Percy Harvin … 11 rushes for 117 yards by Peterson … 2.7 yards per opponents’ rush, thanks to Kevin and Pat Williams stuffing anything that ran … and Favre ’s 13-of-18 passing in seven Viking series. That’s what Favre needs to be: a good, complementary player who doesn’t turn it over and who moves the chains, and who, occasionally, make one of the old Favre-type plays.

Now, America, can you see why Brett Favre wanted to play for this Minnesota team so much?

What the Vikings need Favre to do now is get to know his mates. On one pass play, he gave Harvin the kind of look he used to give Donald Driver in Green Bay, the kind of look that said, “I’m coming to you.” But Harvin didn’t know that look and the ball didn’t come his way.

The most rewarding thing for offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who has been tutoring Favre since his arrival in Minnesota two weeks ago, was a third-down conversion late in the first quarter. The Vikings had the ball third-and-seven at their 26, and Favre set up in the shotgun, with trips left?three receivers to the left. Here came the pressure, and Visanthe Shiancoe, who was supposed to run deep downfield, knew to cut off his route just past the first-down marker. Favre knew he’d cut it off. And Shiancoe, button-hooking at 11 yards with linebacker DeMeco Ryans on his back, turned around to find the line drive, low, right in his hands.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Bevell said, smiling, after the game. “Some of that is dictated by coverage, some by the pass-rush, and some just by feel, and Brett and Visanthe knew when to make that play. My biggest concern is not Brett knowing the offense. My biggest concern is Brett knowing the players.”

“Exactly,” Favre said. “We run plays I’m very familiar with, but I have to learn these guys. It’s not the plays, it’s the players.”

Monday night was the five-week anniversary of Favre turning down the Vikings and saying he was staying retired. “I passed up the greatest chance I could have had right now, and it hurts,” a downcast Favre said that night. Three weeks later he unretired, and two weeks into his second comeback, Favre showed how well he fit with the Vikings, who clearly — if they stay healthy — are strong Super Bowl contenders.

Favre twice played wide receiver while rookie Percy Harvin took shotgun Wildcat snaps. On the second, he dove into Houston safety Eugene Wilson’s right knee as the play came back to his side; Favre was penalized five yards for a crackback block and appeared to be wincing as he rose from the turf. Favre wasn’t hurt, but Wilson might be. He lay on the turf for several moments before being removed with an injured knee. When the replay was shown on the Reliant Stadium video boards, the crowd booed Favre lustily, thinking it was a dirty play. Asked afterward what he’d say to Favre if he could talk to him about it, Wilson said: “What’s up with that? Seriously, what’s up with that? … I’m just happy to be walking.”

“I’m sorry if he’s injured,” said Favre. “That was not my intent. Percy was running my way, and I was trying to protect my guy. My intent was not to be cheap.”

So it was a successful dress rehearsal for Minnesota’s opener Sept. 13 at Cleveland. The question now is, will Favre be able to make it through another season taking the punishment he’ll have to take to survive? Nothing is guaranteed with a quarterback playing at 40. But for one night, he passed Childress’ acid test.

“How will I play this year?” Favre said. “Time will tell. I’ve got a long way to go. We’re only 12, 13 days into it. But I got better tonight. I know I’m up against the clock, but I took another step forward tonight.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=290831034

Favre plays 3 quarters with bad rib as Texans lose Schaub to sprained ankle

HOUSTON — Brett Favre’s ribs appear to be just fine.

He took plenty of hits and even delivered one.Adrian Peterson scored on the game’s first play, Favre played three quarters despite saying he might have an injured rib, and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Houston Texans 17-10 in a preseason game Monday night.

In his second game since unretiring less than two weeks ago, Favre was 13 of 18 for 142 yards. He didn’t move the offense much following Peterson’s touchdown until a 28-yard catch and run by Chester Taylor just before halftime.ESPN reported before the game that Favre said he thinks he has a cracked rib, but the 39-year-old didn’t look to be in pain while getting sacked twice and taking numerous hits.After the game he backed off his comments.”There is nothing you can do about it first of all, secondly, I don’t believe it is [cracked],” he said. “It doesn’t feel great but I think I will be fine. We have not done an X-ray yet. If it is cracked, there is nothing you can do about it.”He drew a penalty for an illegal crackback block to the knee of Houston’s Eugene Wilson when he lined up wide in the wildcat formation in the third quarter. Wilson was injured on the play, but said he’ll be OK.Favre said he wasn’t out to hurt anyone and was simply trying to protect rookie Percy Harvin, who took the snap.”I will be 40 years old in October and [was] weed-eating 13 days ago,” Favre said. “I wasn’t thinking about throwing blocks.”Wilson said he hadn’t spoken to Favre, but if he did he would ask him one thing.”What was up with that?” Wilson said. “Seriously, what was up with that?”Vikings coach Brad Childress said Favre was much better than in his debut, but there’s still work to do.”He did some really good things as far as putting the ball where it needed to be,” Childress said. “He will be the first to tell you that he missed a few reads. He made a couple of nice plays with his feet and he had enough of the pocket presence to move around when he had to and still get the football where it needed to be.”Houston’s Matt Schaub had a tough day. He was called for intentional grounding and threw an interception before spraining his ankle in the second quarter. He returned after the injury, but was limping and was replaced by Dan Orlovsky to start the third quarter.He said he hurt his foot when it caught the rubber on the sideline as he ran out of bounds.”I just felt a little something in my ankle and it kind of progressively got a little sore,” Schaub said. “I was able to stay in there and just came in at the half and figured it was best to just get some treatment on it and proceed that way.”Schaub was 10 of 14 for 108 yards with one interception. He said he expects to play Friday.Peterson scored on a 75-yard run when he sliced through Houston’s defense virtually untouched. He finished with 117 yards rushing, the second straight game the Texans have allowed a 100-yard rusher. Mike Bell had 10 carries for 100 yards in a loss to New Orleans.”Well, you can’t set [the tone] much better than that when you can go yard on the first play,” Childress said. “That really punched a hole in things.”DeMeco Ryans led Houston’s defense with 16 tackles and a sack, and was pleased that the defense bounced back after that run by Peterson.Minnesota’s three drives after Peterson’s touchdown ended with punts, one of them coming when Favre was sacked by Mario Williams.The Vikings got the ball at the Houston 24 early in the second quarter after Schaub’s interception, but had to settle for a field goal after Favre’s pass was deflected on second down and then fell incomplete on third down.Favre led a Vikings drive that took seven minutes in the third quarter, but that too ended with a punt after an incomplete pass and a false start penalty.Houston’s first three drives ended with punts before Schaub’s interception, and the Texans’ only touchdown came on a 4-yard run by Steve Slaton in the second quarter.Orlovsky was intercepted in the third quarter, and finished 7 of 11 for 74 yards.Tarvaris Jackson started the fourth quarter for Minnesota and Sage Rosenfels ended the game in his return to Houston after an offseason trade. Jackson completed both of his passes for 22 yards, and Rosenfels was 2 of 3 for 26 yards.Game notes
Houston’s Andre Johnson played into the fourth quarter and had three receptions for 61 yards. … Minnesota rookie Harvin caught three passes for 31 yards. … Texans receiver Kevin Walter injured his right hamstring in the first half and did not return.

http://www.justin.tv/sportsforu247

Watch live video from sportsforu247 on Justin.tv

K.I.S.D. has fired the three Morton Ranch High School football coaches that were under investigation.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/katy/news/6588843.html

Katy ISD votes to fire three Morton Ranch coaches

The Katy ISD board of trustees approved separate recommendations for the proposed termination of three Morton Ranch High School coaches, who were accused earlier this month of violating district policies concerning student records, misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. Read the full story

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/education/090826_katy_isd_coaches_meeting

Trustees to Decide Katy
Coaches’ Fate

Katy ISD trustees are expected to decide Wednesday whether three Morton Ranch High School coaches should be fired amid allegations they were violated district policies regarding student records, misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility surfaced. Read the full story

The violence at Tuesday’s match between West Ham and Millwall was a “disgrace to football”, the sports minister says. Read the full story

The former Katy High School and University of Hawaii football player is having a strong preseason for the Tennessee Titans. In the Titans’ last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mouton took an interception back for a touchdown. He had 2 tackles in that game, a kick return for sixteen yards, and two punt returns for twelve total yards. In the Titans first preseason game against the Bills, Mouton had four tackles, two kick returns for forty-two yards, and a punt return for nine yards. This Friday the Titans will play in Dallas against the Cowboys at 7 PM Central Time on Fox.

Fast forward to the 3:00 minute mark in the video to catch a replay of Mouton’s ‘pick six’.

Morton Ranch officials look into possible inappropriate teacher-student relationship

KATY, Texas – Officials at Morton Ranch High School are trying to find out if a female teacher had an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Katy ISD sent home a letter to parents on Tuesday. It states that the teacher in question resigned in March for unrelated reasons.

Officials say they learned of the inappropriate relationship allegations while conducting an investigation on three football coaches.

The allegations against the coaches include changing grades and misuse of funds.

Those coaches are on administrative leave.

The teacher who resigned was not part of the school’s coaching staff.

Mitchell sent home amid HS probe

Oklahoma State freshman safety Joe Mitchell has been sent home amid allegations that coaches at his high school might have tampered with his academic transcripts.

Those allegations have left three of Mitchell’s football coaches at Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) near Houston, including his head coach, on administrative leave with the school district.

Oklahoma State officials allowed Mitchell to practice Monday, but decided to send him home as his transcripts were scrutinized by the NCAA clearinghouse.

“Joe Mitchell is heading back to Houston,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told reporters after practice Tuesday. “He’s got some personal issues he’s got to take care of. We learned more today about it. I’m not sure anybody knows, in detail, where they’re at.

“But as for now, he has to work through those issues before he can come back here. Hopefully, it could be within the next few weeks. If not, then we’d certainly like to get him back in January.”

Mitchell was a quarterback and a safety at Morton Ranch, producing 63 tackles and four interceptions as a senior. He likely would have been redshirted with the Cowboys if he had remained in their program this season.

The Houston Chronicle reported that an investigation began when Katy administrators were told by Texas’ University Interscholastic League that three Morton Ranch coaches might have violated district policies, including student records, possible misuse of funds and eligibility.

Here are the latest articles regarding the ongoing investigation of three Morton Ranch High School football coaches.

Via ESPN.com

Mitchell’s transcripts under review

An Oklahoma State spokesman confirmed Monday that the NCAA is investigating the academic transcripts of a freshman player who is involved in allegations that have left three football coaches, including the head coach at Katy Morton Ranch High School, on administrative leave.

True freshman safety Joe Mitchell will continue to be allowed to practice with the Cowboys until he is cleared or not cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse, or until 14 days have passed from the start of fall practice.

Oklahoma State spokeman Gavin Lang said the school received a tip with allegations that it forwarded to the NCAA, which stated it had received the same information.

Two sources familiar with the allegations involving Katy Morton Ranch stated that academic transcripts may have been changed in order to allow for Mitchell to be eligible. Head coach Scott Svendsen is among those on administrative leave.

Mitchell was a quarterback and a safety at Katy Morton Ranch High in Texas. He had 63 tackles and four interceptions as a senior.

via The Houston Chronicle (Chron.com)

Morton Ranch waits it out

UIL official hints at extended investigation

The investigation of the Morton Ranch High School football program continued Monday, as players prepared to take the field for their first practice of the season.

Morton Ranch interim coach Todd McVey met with team members Monday, including former Sharpstown quarterback Sam Carter, who transferred to the school this spring and was supposed to start for Morton Ranch this season.

When asked if Carter would be playing for the Mavericks, McVey said, “I don’t know.”

Carter was removed from the Touchdown Club of Houston’s high school pre-season team Monday. The team will be honored during a banquet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the J.W. Marriott.

“There are questions concerning his eligibility that won’t be resolved in time for the banquet,” said Neal Farmer, executive director of the Touchdown Club of Houston.

McVey and Katy ISD athletic director Rusty Dowling did not comment on Carter’s eligibility.

The investigation into the Morton Ranch football program that started Friday has left three football coaches, including head coach Scott Svendsen, on administrative leave. McVey, a Katy ISD assistant athletic director, is serving as interim head coach.

The other two coaches on leave are offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defensive coordinator Cody Haug, who declined to comment on Monday. Calls to Svendsen were not returned.

The investigation began when Katy administrators were made aware of allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds and athletic eligibility.

University Interscholastic League compliance officer Ed Stidham said Monday the UIL was sent documents that prompted the league to look into the allegations. The UIL contacted Katy ISD, which immediately put the coaches on leave and started the investigation.

Stidham said Morton Ranch’s football practices and games would go on as scheduled while the investigation continues. He also said there are students with questions surrounding their eligibility and that could impact the team’s roster.

Typically, the UIL gives school districts 10 school days to complete an investigation, but Stidham said Katy ISD would probably be given more time due to the seriousness of the allegations. He said depending on the outcome of the investigation, Morton Ranch could face repercussions.

For now, Dowling and McVey said they were just working to get the team on the field and prepare for its first game Aug. 28 at Tomball.

“I am just here to try to make this a positive experience for these kids right now,” McVey said.

via NewsOK.com

OSU freshman Joe Mitchell’s eligibility in question

ESPN.com reported Monday that incoming Oklahoma State freshman Joe Mitchell’s eligibility is under investigation by the NCAA. The report said OSU received a tip with allegations that Mitchell’s academic transcripts at Katy Morton Ranch High School might have been changed so he would remain eligible. The allegations were forwarded to the NCAA, according to OSU spokesman Gavin Lang.

Mitchell was a quarterback-defensive back for Morton Ranch. Listed as a safety by OSU, Mitchell can practice with the Cowboys until Aug. 17 unless OSU receives other news from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

“I found out today,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said after Monday’s practice. “It’s a personal issue, I don’t know the details. Hopefully, he can get it worked out. I hate that for Joe, but I don’t know exactly what’s going on.”

Gundy said Mitchell “would have been redshirted anyway. At his position, he wouldn’t have been ready to play.”

Monday, the Houston Chronicle reported that Morton Ranch head coach Scott Svendsen, offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defensive coordinator Cody Haug were placed on administrative leave.

The newspaper’s Web site said an investigation began when Katy administrators were told by Texas’ University Interscholastic League that three Morton Ranch coaches might have violated district policies, including student records, possible misuse of funds and eligibility.

Katy administrators are also investigating the eligibility of Sam Carter, a quarterback who transferred from Sharpstown High School and was supposed to replace Mitchell.

via KHOU.com

Source: Katy ISD football coaches being falsely accused

HOUSTON—The investigation into three Morton Ranch High School coaches has taken a new twist.

Katy ISD says the allegations center on policy violations involving student records, possible misuse of funds and athletic eligibility.

The district says the coaches may have changed grades and transcripts and taken money from the district.

Those coaches are on administrative leave while the Katy ISD investigates charges of serious district policy violations.

The Katy ISD is still not talking, but someone who works at Morton Ranch spoke to 11 News.

He asked that we alter his voice and not show his face.

“Visiting with these guys, knowing their backgrounds, you know, coaching is everything to these guys,” said the employee.

11 News has confirmed that the targets of the investigation are Morton Ranch head coach Scott Svendsen and two assistants, Jeremy Orsagh and Cody Haug.

“You’re not going to hear one person say anything negative about any of those coaches. They help the kids tremendously.  A lot of them are father figures,” said the employee who doesn’t want his name used. “They do whatever they can. They go out of their way to do whatever it takes to make sure their kids are taken care of.”

Copies of documents sent to the NCAA and the UIL were given to 11 News.

As for the check which was made out to cash, signed and cashed by Jeremy Orsagh, the unidentified individual said that the non-district account was set up to help support an after-hours football camp.

“Those checks could not be deposited through Katy ISD or any of their entities because it was an outside fundraiser. So, misuse of funds?  I know for a fact there was no misuse of funds,” said the individual.

The employee also commented about a letter addressed to the NCAA. It discussed a player’s grades and transcripts. It also showed incomplete grades had been updated — grades that otherwise would have impacted the player’s eligibility to play football.

“They’re always signed.  They’re always stamped.  They’re always sealed.  They’re always delivered officially. Anything wrong with the transcript would get flagged by the NCAA Clearinghouse,” said the employee.

That letter, the individual claims, was doctored. He says the allegations are being driven by a coach’s nasty divorce and a district desperately trying to preserve its image.

“The coaches are very upset because they have not been asked any questions.  They have not been able to give their side of the story on anything,” said the unidentified individual.

The coaches said they plan to hire attorneys.

Katy ISD remains silent. Meanwhile, football practice at Morton Ranch begins Monday.

KISD reaches settlement with 2 former MRHS coaches

Svendsen, Haug come to terms

By Luciano Battistini
Special to The Times

Stunner at Morton Ranch

Svendsen, two others, put on administrative leave on eve of fall practice beginning

By Scott Kaiser
Times Sports Writer

In a stunning move first reported by The Katy Times on Friday, Morton Ranch head football coach and athletic coordinator Scott Svendsen and two assistants have been put on administrative leave.

In a press release on Saturday, the district announced that “Katy ISD administrators were made aware this week of allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. Because of the allegations, the district has launched an investigation, during which time the three coaches will be on administrative leave.”

Because of privacy issues, Katy ISD cannot release names, but the Times has confirmed that Mavericks’ offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defense coordinator Cody Haug are being investigated along with Svendsen.

“I don’t know how you prepare for something like this,” Katy ISD executive director of athletics Rusty Dowling said. “We just have to work through it because so many people and kids depend on it.”

Todd McVey, who came to Katy in February to serve as assistant athletic director, was named  interim coach. McVey previously was a head coach at Harker Heights and McKinney, and was on Dowling’s staff at Texas City when the Stingarees won two state titles.

“Interim may mean a week, two weeks, a month or the whole season,” Dowling said. “I’m just not sure right now, but I have every faith that Todd will go in there and do a great job.

“He obviously came here to take a position in administration, but when this whole thing transpired, I called him and asked if he was willing to step in, and he immediately said yes.”

Ex-Knights coach McVey back on the sideline in Katy

By Alex Byington
Killeen Daily Herald

Todd McVey is a head football coach again, albeit not under the most ideal of situations.

According to a statement released by the Katy Independent School District, the former Harker Heights coach has been named the interim head coach and athletic coordinator at Morton Ranch High School following the suspensions of three members of the Mavericks’ coaching staff Friday.

“Really right now, I’m trying to gather my thoughts,” McVey said. “My concern is making sure those kids have a plan and are organized just like I would if I had been trying to get them ready all along. Making sure the staff and I are on the same page when we’re out there and it’s a positive for those kids. That’s the most important thing, then work from there.”

McVey, who coached the Knights for two seasons and compiled a 2-17 record overall, resigned in January to take an assistant athletic director position within the Katy ISD.

Click the link for the full article from Chron.com

Three Morton Ranch football coaches under investigation

Three Morton Ranch football coaches have been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, including head football coach and athletic director Scott Svendsen.

In a statement released Saturday, the Katy Independent School District said it was investigating allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. The release did not name the three coaches.

Morton Ranch girls basketball coach Pam Bowers confirmed one of those coaches is Svendsen, who is in his second season.

Bowers said the coaching staff would be briefed on the situation Wednesday when they report to school.

“I was told that he’d been put on administrative leave,” Bowers said. “That’s all.”

Svendsen did not return calls seeking comment. Parents and student-athletes at Morton Ranch were made aware of the situation and briefed on Friday night

Svendsen is the most successful coach in Morton Ranch’s short history. He took over a team last season that had won one game in its first two varsity seasons. Morton Ranch went 6-4, which included a five-game winning streak.

Former Lions receiver Charles Rogers revealed to ESPN that he smoked marijuana every day when he played in the NFL.

“I blew everyday,” Rogers told ESPN (see the video below). “But you know I was doing something wrong … I was wrong.”

Rogers, the second overall pick in 2003 by Detroit who played just three seasons in the league, also said that he was abusing prescription drugs when he was in the NFL. Read the full story

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers are partnering with the Wisconsin Lottery, taking advantage of an NFL decision allowing teams to associate with state-run lotteries.

Packers logos will be featured on a $10 scratch-off game with a top instant prize of $50,000. Fans also can win Packers-themed prizes, including four club seats to all home games for the 2010-12 seasons. Read the full story

CANTON, Ohio – The Pro Football Hall of Fame isn’t about statistics. You can find those in the NFL record book.

Football’s shrine is about impact. It’s about the players whose mere presence on the field changed the way the game is played. The Hall of Fame is about the difference-makers. Read the full story