College teams that consistently underperform in the classroom are getting hit harder by the NCAA.
Nearly 150 college teams face possible scholarship losses next season and 26 others are in danger of being banned from postseason play if they don't improve next year.
A peculiar area code ran across his caller ID when Jason Shirley's cell phone rang early Sunday afternoon.
The former Fresno State football player had been waiting anxiously for a certain call to come his way, with the second day of the NFL draft taking place.
FRESNO -- Linebackers that hit as hard as runaway trucks, cornerbacks who fly in from out of nowhere and linemen with cement hands. Ryan Mathews now understands the perils of being the starting tailback in a program with the motto: "Anybody, Anytime, Anywhere."
He just never expected this: A crush of adoring Fresno State fans chasing him down everywhere he goes -- the mall, school, community service events. Everywhere.
POSITION: Middle linebacker
FRESNO -- Chastin West lined up in the slot -- eyes forward, arms at his side. The Fresno State receiver waited for that familiar sound: Tom Brandstater's cadence.
Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater spent more time on the field with a pen in his hand instead of a football Saturday.
Spring football is over. Well, almost. Fresno State still has one more practice left, a light workout Wednesday at Bulldog Stadium.
FRESNO -- Kyle Duffy glanced over his shoulder to see the shirt under his jersey had been torn and stretched.
A few Doggie treats from Fresno State's final spring scrimmage on Saturday: A GREAT SIGN: Tom Brandstater and Bear Pascoe hooked up early in the scrimmage for a touchdown.
The strikeouts continued to pile up and so did the runs.
FRESNO -- On a team full of veterans and returning starters, Fresno State's kicking game sticks out like a sixth finger.
FRESNO -- Fresno State revamped its 2008 football schedule Tuesday, dropping one opponent from a Bowl Championship Series conference for another and changing its season opener.
Though it's become difficult to tell if the Fresno State baseball team is actually on a roll or just hot for a brief period, this much is clear:
FRESNO -- Let's have a little spotlight here, please. This isn't just any ordinary spring football practice.
Ryan Mathews did enough last season to get noticed, not to get mobbed. He's a freshman in Fresno, not Derek Jeter in New York.
Copyright © 2007 The Merced Sun Star.
