Friday’s are typically pretty light for college football news with a heavy slate of games just 24 hours away. That was far from the case this week as a couple of huge stories broke on Nov. 1 as the final month of the regular season approaches.
College football news roundup: Carl Pelini accused of cocaine; USC knocks off Oregon State
With rumors swirling following the sudden resignation of FAU coach Carl Pelini, SB Nation has obtained affidavits claiming he used cocaine and marijuana in the last 12 months. And what’s the latest with the Gruden-to-USC rumors?
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Carl Pelini accused of using cocaine, marijuana
As SB Nation first reported, former FAU head coach Carl Pelini resigned from the university on Wednesday after two affidavits claimed he used cocaine and marijuana within the last 12 months.
From Spencer Hall’s report:
In documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by SB Nation, a man named Matt Edwards and a woman named Allison Stewart state they witnessed Pelini's use of illegal drugs. Matt Edwards is also the name of FAU's defensive line and special teams coach and a longtime assistant tied to former FAU defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis, who also resigned.
Edwards claimed to have seen Pelini smoking marijuana in Key West on Oct. 19, 2013. He also claimed to "have personally seen Carl Pelini use both marijuana and cocaine" in the 12 months prior to his statement. Edwards made the same claim about Rekstis.
The full court documents, which were made available through a FOIA request, can be found here.
Trojans break Corvallis curse
USC won at Oregon State for the first time since 2004, 31-14. Then this happened:
Celebrating @CoachOUSC "@SBNationCFB: Has USC ever been this happy to beat Oregon State? Ever? (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY) pic.twitter.com/Yp0endqJL9"
— Ronnie Lott (@RonnieLottHOF) November 2, 2013
USC reportedly interested in Jon Gruden
The USC Trojans have already been linked to a wide range of potential head coaching candidates. The latest name to add to the list: former NFL coach and current Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden.
According to reports, the Trojans have some interest in Gruden but have not reached out to him. The 50-year-old head coach doesn’t seem incredibly eager to give up his current gig with ESPN, though the right job could entice him to return to the sidelines once again.
Gruden has never been a college head coach before. In 11 NFL seasons with the Raiders and Buccaneers, Gruden posted an impressive 95-81 record and won the 2002 Super Bowl. He was fired by Tampa Bay in January 2009.
Georgia's Justin Scott-Wesley charged with marijuana possession
Justin Scott-Wesley was arrested on Thursday and released shortly after on bond for marijuana possession. After housing personnel detected an odor coming from his dorm room, police found a glass pipe and a grinder, which had marijuana residue present. Less than an ounce of marijuana was found. A warrant for the sophomore wide receiver’s arrest was released, and he turned himself in that afternoon.
Scott-Wesley is already done for the 2013 season with a torn ACL. It’s unclear what punishment UGA will hand down, though any kind of suspension for 2014 would likely result in him missing at least some of season opener against Clemson.
NCAA declares Tennessee DT Mo Couch permanently ineligible
After receiving a handful of cash transfers last year from Luther Davis, a former Alabama player, Couch has played his final collegiate game with the Volunteers.
The senior defensive tackle appeared in 26 games with UT, including all 12 games in 2012. He also started two games this season before the Volunteers ruled him ineligible against Oregon. He has not played since as the NCAA continued its investigation.
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