UNDATED (AP) — LSU did not place one-time pros Dae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris on its roster in advance of its season opener. A person familiar with the situation confirmed it to The Associated Press on Friday. The move appears to avoid an immediate confrontation with the Southeastern Conference, which had passed a rule forbidding former pros on rosters, only to see that rule put on hold by a court in Louisiana. It means LSU will open its season against Clemson on Saturday without Wright and Harris on the roster, according to the person who spoke to AP. The person did not want to be named because the school had not released the details publicly.
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Darian Mensah threw five touchdown passes in his Miami debut, Malachi Toney set a school-record with 234 yards receiving and the seventh-ranked Hurricanes opened their season with an 45-6 victory over Stanford. Mensah and Toney connected on touchdown passes on the first two drives of the game for Miami and then again on a 47-yarder in the third quarter that broke Eddie Brown's school record of 220 set in 1984. Davis Warren threw for 204 yards for Stanford but couldn’t get the Cardinal in the end zone.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 24 Louisville opens the season with a marquee test against No. 9 Mississippi as the headliner on the Week 1 slate in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cardinals have won 28 games in Jeff Brohm's first three seasons and are picked to finish third in the ACC. The schedule includes No. 19 SMU visiting Florida State on Labor Day, as well as Clemson visiting No. 11 LSU. There's also transfer quarterback Darian Mensah's debut at No. 7 Miami when the preseason ACC favorite Hurricanes visit Stanford.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The eligibility fights taking place in courts across the country are taking place with college basketball weeks away from starting preseason practices. Much of the focus has been on college football with that season starting last week. But basketball is roughly two months from opening night with preseason practices officially starting later this month. Most of the questions deal with lawsuits tied to the NCAA's move to a new five-year, age-based eligibility model. That has hundreds of players who completed four-year careers in the spring seeking to play a fifth season.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina brings an old-school vibe to college football. He grew up in an Italian household in Birmingham, Alabama, and prefers Frank Sinatra over hip-hop or rap. Vizzina has spent three years at Clemson, waiting for his chance to start, rather than transferring. Coach Dabo Swinney announced he will start Saturday’s season opener against LSU. Vizzina is excited to finally realize his college dream. Clemson is looking to rebound from a disappointing season last year, and Swinney is focused on regrouping and improving.
UNDATED (AP) — The showdown between LSU and Clemson has been overshadowed by controversy. Lane Kiffin's decision to recruit former NFL players has sparked debate. LSU fans are worried about the long-term impact on the program. Sports radio host Matt Moscona says the issue has dominated discussions, with fears of potential punishments. Kiffin recruited former players Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, defying SEC rules. The SEC has sued LSU, and several coaches, including Clemson's Dabo Swinney, have criticized the move. Kiffin argues it reflects the real world, while Moscona blames the NCAA for the situation.
