News and Notes: September 12, 2006

As things settle in for the year, there are a few injuries that could change the balance of a very tight title fight. DL Paul Griffin tore a ligament in his left knee during Florida State's rather remarkable comeback against Troy. He is done for the season. Bobby Bowden, FSU's patriarch, called the JUCO transfer his second best defensive lineman. Freshman Kendrick Stewart draws the start as they play a huge ACC contest against Clemson. While Air Force may have not beat Tennessee, they knocked out two defensive starters for the season. Did we mention the Gators come calling this week? DT Justin Terrell ruptured a bicep tendon in the 31-30 win over Air Force. The senior requires surgery and is done. He led the Vols with 7.5 sacks last year. The injury to Inquoris "Inky" Johnson is more serious. Johnson was knocked unconscious making a tackle in the second half. He has already undergone surgery to repair blood vessels in his shoulder. The cornerback will require future surgery to repair nerve damage. He did not suffer any neck or head damage. Vols tailback Arian Foster is questionable for the Florida game, after a sprained ankle early last week. Joe Tereshinski's ankle injury will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. Georgia's senior quarterback has a high right ankle sprain suffered in Saturday night's win over South Carolina. Highly touted freshman Matthew Stafford gets the start this week against Alabama-Birmingham. That according to ESPN. If Colorado needed more bad news, they got it Sunday when junior quarterback Brian White quit the team and asked for a transfer. White, who nearly led Colorado to a comeback win over Clemson at the Champ Sports Bowl, had fallen to third on the 0-2 Buffaloes depth chart. Finally, the two Texas Longhorns suspended for the Ohio State game have been reinstated. CB Tarell Brown and LB Tyrell Gatewood will be ready for the Rice Game this weekend. Both players passed drug tests over the weekend and marijuana possession charges against the two were dropped. A weapons possession charge against Brown is still in place.