SEC News Blog

The latest news, nuggets and information from the SEC.

SEC News Blog

News ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | C-USA
MAC | M-West | Pac 10 | SEC | Sun Belt | WAC
Players ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | C-USA
MAC | M-West | Pac 10 | SEC | Sun Belt | WAC
Storylines ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | C-USA
MAC | M-West | Pac 10 | SEC | Sun Belt | WAC

By Gabe Harris (West)

Alabama

Junior Lorenzo Washington is moving to defensive end…Junior Cory Reamer is moving from weakside linebacker to strongside linebacker…True freshman Dont’a Hightower will play weakside linebacker…PK Leigh Tiffin, punter P.J. Fitzgerald, and DB Tyrone King, three current junior walk-on players have been given scholarships.

Arkansas

Head Coach Bobby Petrino plans on playing at least ten true freshmen…It’s unlikely that LB Wendell Davis will be ready for the opener due to hand and knee issues… RB De'Anthony Curtis is getting close to being able to contribute after sustaining a knee injury earlier in camp…Sophomore Wade Grayson continues to work with the first team at weakside guard…Ramon Broadway has moved ahead of Jamar Love at one of the cornerback slots…Expect Arkansas to use more of a running back by committee approach with starter Michael Smith getting 15 to 20 carries per game.

Auburn

Sophomore DE Antoine Carter has gained 29 pounds during the offseason and the extra weight has given him confidence in playing the run… RB Tristan Davis has been held out of practice with a hamstring injury and Tuberville said he wouldn't play in the season opener against UL-Monroe unless he was 100 percent…Gabe McKenzie will play on both sides of the ball this year at TE and DE, the move was suggested by McKenzie...RB Coach Eddie Gran has said that WR Robert Dunn will be the top punt returner but hopes to get Philip Pierre-Louis in there as well…Tristan Davis and Ben Tate will return kicks with Pierre-Louis well…Freshman Vance Smith will likely be the No. 2 tight end.

LSU

QB Jarrett Lee did not participate in LSU’s last scrimmage due to back spasms so Andrew Hatch and Jordan Jefferson got the 70 offensive snaps in the scrimmage…LSU's sports information release said they combined for a 16-for-30 performance for 150 yards...The offensive side of the ball had several players miss some practice time including senior C Brett Helms, freshman OG Josh Dworacyzk, and freshman TE Matt Branch…Senior MLB Derry Beckwith is still in his green non-contact jersey… With Brett Helms still missing from practice, senior C Ryan Miller continued to run with the first team at center.

Mississippi State

OT Mark Melichar came back from a stomach virus after two days but lost his starting spot to OT Quentin Saulsberry…The defensive front four is still far from being decided and there is a lot of shuffling of players along the line…FS Derek Pegues remains suspended from the team’s opener… WR Jamayel Smith is the first team punt returner ahead of freshmen Delmon Robinson and Corey Bailey.

Ole Miss

Head coach Houston Nutt is pleased with PK Josh Shene’s consistency… The number two DL has consisted of DEs Chris Bowers and LaDerrick Vaughn, NT Jerrell Powe and DT Justin Smith…DE Emmanuel Stephens, Kentrell Lockett, LaDerrick Vaughn and Chris Bowers have been getting a lot of work in the absence of DE Greg Hardy and Ted Laurent…Nutt is not sure how much of the Wild Rebel formation will be seen this year as “it’s still a work in progress”.

By Barrett Sallee (East)

Florida Gators: WR Percy Harvin, LB Brandon Spikes and G Jim Tartt are all expected to return to action next week vs. Miami (Fla.) after sitting out the opener with injuries.  RB Emmanuel Moody suffered a sprained ankle after just two carries vs. Hawaii.  There is no update on the severity of Moody’s injury, although Urban Meyer expects him to be part of the game plan next week vs. the Hurricanes.  ESPN’s College Gameday will broadcast from outside the Swamp this Saturday starting at 10:00am EDT.

Georgia Bulldogs: Starting DT Jeff Owens suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the 2^nd quarter against Georgia Southern, and will miss the remainder of the season.  Owens is expected to use a redshirt year this season and play his senior season in 2009.  RB Knowshon Moreno suffered cramps on a TD run in a third quarter, and not a hamstring injury, as it was initially feared.

Kentucky Wildcats: Sophomore QB Mike Hartline will make his first career home start this weekend vs. Norfolk State.  Rich Brooks will be looking to move into sole-possession of sixth place on UK’s all-time wins list.  Brooks is currently tied for sixth with Bill Curry with 26 career wins with the Wildcats.  Kentucky’s home-opener Saturday against Norfolk State will be available on ESPN Gameplan.

South Carolina Gamecocks: QB Tommy Beecher sat out Saturday’s practice, and had a non-contact jersey on during Sunday’s practice due to an injured left shoulder.  Regardless of Beecher's health, Steve Spurrier has announced that Chris Smelley will start at QB for the Gamecocks on Thursday night vs. Vanderbilt.  Smelley came relieved an injured Beecher last week, going 5-for-5 with 2 TD’s.   Mike Davis will get the start at RB on Thursday.

Tennessee Volunteers: CB/PR Dennis Rogan suffered and undisclosed injury vs. UCLA, and his status is uncertain for the Vols home-opener September 13 vs. the UAB Blazers. RB’s Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty split carries in the UCLA game, and that trend is expected to continue vs. UAB. Phil Fulmer’s faith is still behind PK Daniel Lincoln, who missed 3-of-4 FG attempts last week vs. UCLA.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Coach Bobby Johnson says that he will need more production out of his RB’s this Thursday, after Commodore tailbacks combined for just 77 yards vs. Miami (Ohio).  QB Chris Nickson is expected to start Thursday.  Vanderbilt is encouraging fans to wear black for Thursday’s home-opener vs. South Carolina on ESPN.