Texas quarterback Colt McCoy hurt his passing shoulder on the Longhorns' first drive of the BCS championship game Thursday night, knocking him out of the biggest � and final � game of his record-setting college career.
School officials never specified the seriousness of his injury but declared him out with Texas trailing Alabama 24-6 early in the third quarter. Alabama went on to win 37-21.
Minutes later, McCoy returned to the sideline in full gear except for his helmet and went straight into an offensive huddle as the Longhorns were on the sideline, preparing to start a possession.
McCoy appeared animated as he spoke, walking around the center of the group. He touched the helmet and shoulder pads of his replacement, freshman Garrett Gilbert. McCoy then stood alone on the sideline as the offense took the field. He later put on a headset. The Longhorns then rallied to within 24-21 with 6:15 left.
McCoy was injured on his fifth snap of No. 2 Texas' game against No. 1 Alabama. He kept the ball on an option to his left and was hit square by lineman Marcell Dareus for no gain.
"They would be a lot better team because he's a great player," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban told ABC at halftime. "So it's unfortunate for them."
BCS: The new BCS executive director officially began his tenure by saying the often-criticized postseason represents a consensus among the 120 schools that play major college football
Bill Hancock said a playoff at college football's highest level would lead to more injuries, conflict with final exams, kill the bowl system and diminish the importance of the regular season.
"I know this is not completely popular, but I believe in it," Hancock told reporters Thursday at the Football Writers Association of America awards breakfast in Newport Beach. "I believe it is in the best interest of the universities. College football has never been better, and I believe the BCS is part of that."
Texas Tech: Attorneys for fired coach Mike Leach said they want to take Texas Tech to trial in the next six weeks and want to question some of the key figures in his dismissal. The coach's legal team filed court documents in Lubbock, Texas, asking a state district judge to allow them to question administrators and others in about two weeks.
One person they want to question is Adam James, the sophomore receiver whose family complaint about how Leach treated him after a concussion ultimately led to the coach's firing last month.
James said his coach twice ordered him to stand for hours confined in a dark place during practice.
Stanford: Andy Buh is leaving Jim Harbaugh's staff to return to his alma mater at Nevada as defensive coordinator after three seasons as a Cardinal assistant. Coach Chris Ault says Buh will replace Nigel Burton, who resigned to become head coach at Portland State. Buh was the Cardinal's co-defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Mississippi: Quarterback Jevan Snead is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/sports-headlines/ci_14146329?nclick_check=1
