College football news: EA Sports halts NCAA series, USC asks for leniency
Our roundup covering all of Thursday’s college football news and events.
USA TODAY Sports
In off-field news, EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company announced that they had settled a lawsuit filed by former and current players for use of their likenesses in EA Sports’ NCAA Football franchise. While details of the settlement have not been released, attorneys for one of the former players announced that it would “change the business model for major college athletics”:
“Today’s settlement is a game-changer because, for the first time, student-athletes suiting up to play this weekend are going to be paid for the use of their likenesses,” says [player attorney Eugene] Egdorf. “We view this as the first step toward our ultimate goal of making sure all student-athletes can claim their fair share of the billions of dollars generated each year by college sports.”
Also potentially included in the settlement: The end of the NCAA Football franchise itself. EA announced it would not make a new college football-themed video game in 2014, and the long-term future of the video game series is in some doubt.
The players’ lawsuit with the NCAA continues unabated. In fact, before the EA settlement had been announced, an NCAA spokesman told reporters that the sport’s governing body was ready and willing to take the case “all the way to the Supreme Court” if necessary.
NCAA
In more off-the-field news, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has rejected the idea of paying players, instead suggesting the formation of a NFL minor league.
Virginia Tech
The Hokies still have their offensive woes, but their defense this season has been more than enough to make up for it. Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech 17-10 to open up their conference schedule, holding the powerful Yellow Jackets running game to just 129 yards.
Iowa State
The Cyclones won their first game of the year, defeating Tulsa 38-21 in an impressive showing on the road.
USC
After the NCAA elected to reduce scholarship sanctions on Penn State, USC has asked for the same treatment, as Athletic Director Pat Haden and Vice President for Athletic Compliance Dave Roberts met with NCAA President Mark Emmert and others to ask for leniency.
On the field, the hits keep coming for the Trojans, as three second-string players -- offensive tackle Zach Banner, cornerback Devian Shelton and defensive end Greg Townsend, Jr. -- will miss the remainder of the season with injuries.
Western Michigan
In a wonderful gesture, the Broncos will wear Cincinnati helmet stickers Saturday night against Kent State to honor Bearcat offensive lineman Ben Flick, who died in a tragic auto accident.
West Virginia
After an embarrassing 37-0 loss at the hands of Maryland, Dana Holgorsen has made a quarterback change, naming Florida State transfer Clint Trickett the starter. Freshman Ford Childress had started the previous two games, and Holgorsen said he suffered a pectoral injury. Trickett beat out former starter Paul Millard for the job.
Georgia
Four-star Wauchula (Fla.) defensive end Keyon Brown committed to Georgia, as the Bulldogs beat out Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Tennessee.
Alabama
Scheduling news for the Tide, as after canceling their series with Michigan State it appears they are in the process of scheduling a “big-name opponent” at a neutral site location.
UNC
More future scheduling, as the Tar Heels added a series with Illinois for 2015 and 2016, and also added games with San Diego State and Liberty for 2014.
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