l Coach Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech says speedy sophomore tailback David Wilson will play instead of redshirting this season for the 10th-ranked Hokies.
Virginia Tech has had record-setting freshmen tailbacks in the past two seasons in Darren Evans and Ryan Williams, and both are healthy. That led to speculation that Wilson would sit out and retain three years of eligibility.
But Beamer said that Wilson has been too good in practice and scrimmages to hold out.
Wilson is expected to return kickoffs for the Hokies. He led the team with 61 yards on 11 carries in their final scrimmage Saturday. He also returned a kickoff 43 yards.
The Hokies will open against third-ranked Boise State on Monday in Landover, Md.
l Northwest Missouri State and Grand Valley State of Michigan came in 1-2 in the American Football Coaches Association's preseason Division II poll yesterday, and Minnesota-Duluth, North Alabama and California (Pa.) completed the top five.
Also ranked were Carson-Newman at No. 20 and UNC Pembroke at No. 23.
l Derrick Washington, a suspended Missouri running back and the team's leading rusher the last two seasons, was charged yesterday with a single count of felony deviate sexual assault in a case over the summer involving a former tutor.
Coach Gary Pinkel suspended Washington last week without disclosing details. Court documents show that Washington had been served with a protection order in late June and accused of sexual assault by the former tutor. A July hearing was delayed at the woman's request, and the case appeared dead after Washington and the alleged victim failed to show up for the rescheduled hearing. Prosecutors continued to investigate, and Washington's family has hired an attorney.
l Linebacker Greg Lloyd Jr., who was expected to redshirt this season while recovering from a knee injury, was listed as a starter for Saturday's opener against Michigan when Connecticut released its depth chart yesterday. Lloyd, a senior, was moved to defensive end in the offseason, but Coach Randy Edsall said earlier this summer that the team had decided to move him back to linebacker and sit him out this season as he continued to heal from two torn ligaments suffered last November.
l Coach Robbie Caldwell of Vanderbilt has named Larry Smith as his starting quarterback for Saturday's opener against Northwestern. Smith, a junior, also was the starter last season, but the No. 1 spot was thrown open during preseason drills. Smith beat out fifth-year senior Jared Funk and junior-college transfer Jordan Rodgers.
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