UNDATED (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed an executive order allowing the state's colleges and universities to let athletes who graduated high school in 2022 play a fifth year. This move defies the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule. DeWine emphasizes fairness, stating Ohio athletes should have the same opportunities as those in other states. The order permits public and private universities in Ohio to allow athletes to play, even if they've already played four seasons. The NCAA has not yet responded. This decision could mirror California's past action on name, image, and likeness compensation, which influenced other states.
UNDATED (AP) — Bob Chesney and his UCLA Bruins head the list of Big Ten midseason awards as determined by a vote of Associated Press writers who cover the conference. Chesney was named top coach and the Bruins the most surprising team. The No. 12 Bruins have their highest ranking in four years and are among nine unbeaten teams in the country. They are tied with No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana at 3-0 in Big Ten play. Northwestern's Aidan Chiles is most surprising player, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith top offensive player and Indiana's Tobi Osunsanmi top defensive player.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 4 Ohio State has uncertainty at multiple offensive line positions as it prepares to visit No. 5 Indiana and the Hoosiers' standout defensive front. Senior lineman Austin Siereveld missed the Buckeyes' win over Maryland on Saturday with an illness, and coach Ryan Day labeled him as day-to-day. That led to a reshuffled front with sophomore Jake Cook entering the lineup at right guard and junior Gabe VanSickle taking over at right tackle. Day offered no update on Siereveld on Tuesday. But he says another injured lineman, Phillip Daniels, is expected to practice in full this week.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA coach Bob Chesney says there's “serious concern” that quarterback Nico Iamaleava could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Iamaleava was hurt just before halftime of the Bruins' 17-15 victory over Oregon on Saturday. Chesney says he's waiting for doctors to make the final call. The 12th-ranked Bruins host Wisconsin on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Iamaleava has thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Backup Ty Dieffenbach replaced him in the second half against the Ducks. Sophomore Madden Iamaleava, Nico's younger brother, is another option at quarterback.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Even though Penn State’s results don’t show it, Matt Campbell believes his team is making progress. With a trip to Michigan looming, the Penn State coach would like to see more. Campbell is looking to his offensive line to help develop some semblance of an on-field personality to help the Nittany Lions break through for their first conference win under new leadership. Getting more physical in the running game against the equally struggling Wolverines would certainly help. Michigan hosts Penn State on Saturday.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham says he's sticking with quarterback Bryce Underwood and offensive coordinator Jason Beck. The Wolverines host Penn State on Saturday in a matchup of disappointing teams led by coaches in their first year with two of the winningest programs in college football. Michigan was No. 16 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll and fell out after a controversial win over Western Michigan. The Wolverines earned a ranking again after beating then-No. 11 Oklahoma only to go back to being unranked with losses to then-No. 17 Iowa and Minnesota.
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. seems unlikely to return this week from a rib injury he suffered during the Huskies’ loss to Iowa. Head coach Jedd Fisch officially described Williams’ status as day to day but said that he didn’t practice Monday, with Elijah Brown taking all the reps with the starting offense. The Huskies are set to fly to Indiana on Thursday for their Friday night game against Purdue.
