College football news: Clowney says he’ll play when healthy, Shaw upset over fake injury claims
This college football season has been replete with injuries and accusations, both real and imagined.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Jadeveon Clowney's desire to play out the remainder of his amateur career has been called into question by many prominent college football pundits following a press conference in which Steve Spurrier was clearly frustrated that his star defensive end was unable to play during South Carolina's narrow 35-28 win over Kentucky. Spurrier and Clowney tackled the issue head-on during their media availability on Tuesday, with Spurrier backtracking on his initial criticism of his superstar and Clowney assuring the media that his injury and pain stemming therefrom are 100 percent real, as is his commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
David Shaw denies fake injury accusation
Things got pretty headed during Tuesday’s Pac-12 conference call when Stanford head coach David Shaw addressed accusations by Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian of faking injuries to slow down the Huskies’ up-tempo offensive attack. Shaw characterized Sakisian’s comments as “unprofessional” and retorted that he doesn’t “care what Steve Sarkisian thinks he saw” and alluded to the injury-faking incident that got former Husky assistant Tosh Lupoi suspended in 2010. At least toward each other, college football coaches are generally a pretty cordial bunch.
Michael Bennett expected to return
It looks like Georgia might be getting wide receiver Michael Bennett back sooner than expected after the junior went down with a knee injury during the Bulldogs' 34-31 overtime win in Knoxville. Despite getting off to a 4-1 start, including an undefeated record in conference play, Georgia has had a rough go of it lately, losing Malcolm Mitchell, Keith Marshall, and Justin Scott-Wesley to season-ending knee injuries. Todd Gurley has also missed time with an ankle injury.
Marqise Lee ‘questionable’ for Thursday night
It has been a difficult season for the Southern Cal Trojans, who will be breaking in interim head coach Ed Orgeron on Thursday night against Arizona. It would be a boon to the new head man’s chances of emerging victorious in his debut if Marqise Lee is cleared to play, but right now the availability of the Trojans’ star wideout is considered questionable. Lee suffered a knee injury in a pointless kick return late in USC’s 62-41 loss to Arizona State, after which Lane Kiffin was fired.
Wazzu flag will keep flying at College Gameday
There was some brief concern on the Internet -- a place where people go to be concerned -- that Washington State’s streak of having its school flag present at every taping of College Gameday since anyone can remember would be interrupted this Saturday. You see, Gameday will be on the campus of the University of Washington for the Ducks vs. Huskies, and Washington and Washington State do not get along. But thanks to Chris Fowler, we have assurance that this tradition will continue. The Huskies and Cougars will just have to sort this out on the field in this November’s Apple Cup.
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