News and Notes: September 1, 2006

With the start of the season, the newswires are on full speed ahead this morning. Here's a quick read: Mark Mangino has signed a five year extension to remain at the University of Kansas. The deal pays him a guaranteed $1.5 million a season. Kansas, better known as a basketball school, has sold nearly 30,000 season tickets to a program that has made two bowl games in three seasons. Possible big trouble in Lubbock as the Associated Press is reporting this morning that lead wide receiver Jarrett Hicks may not be eligible this season. The NCAA Clearinghouse has denied him his eligibility this year and the all time Red Raider leader in touchdown receptions is appealing. Hicks missed most of fall practice as he recovered from an undisclosed injury and taking summer classes to return him to the field. Book troubles in Knoxville too. Tennessee Volunteers head coach Phillip Fullmer announced yesterday that DE Gerald Williams, DB Stephaun Raines, and OL Cody Pope will be ineligible this year. The Tennessean reports that eight of the 22 recruits for this year will not be suited up for their opener against Cal tomorrow. Two notable injuries to tell you about. Colorado State starting RB Kyle Bell tore an ACL in practice yesterday. He is out for the year. Ohio State LB Mike D'Andrea, recruited at the same time as A.J. Hawk, has retired due to lingering knee injuries. Kansas DE John McCoy and Clemson CB C.J. Gaddis have been suspended. McCoy will serve a three game suspension for receiving improper aid in 2003, leading to the school being on probation. Gaddis serves a one game benching for missing too many classes. Finally, our thoughts go out to Clemson LB Antonio Clay. Clay's sister, Yoshanda Sanders, was killed in a one car accident in Jeffersonville, Ga. Her two children are recovering from the same accident. Clay is a game time decision for the opener.