Associated Press
The college football notebook …
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó South Carolina fans can once again bring a taste of coach Steve Spurrier into their homes.
A commemorative wine from Spurrier Vineyards, ěGamecock Garnet,î is raising money for the Steve Spurrier Foundation and South Carolinaís golf programs.
Southern Wine & Spirits of South Carolina is helping bring the vintage to retailers throughout the state.
Tom Collins of Southern Wine & Spirits says the offering is a way to honor Spurrier and the football team for winning the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division last year in addition to benefiting charity.
PATERNO UPDATE
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. ó Joe Paterno says he’s in a little pain after a blindside hit in practice sent him to the hospital, though Penn State’s 84-year-old leader expects to coach from the sideline for the season opener.
The Hall of Fame coach spoke from a golf cart before practice Tuesday, a week after being released from the hospital following the hit Aug. 7 from receiver Devon Smith. Paterno hurt his right shoulder and pelvis, though he said Tuesday he did not suffer any fractures.
“I feel great, except I’m in a little pain,” said Paterno, who didn’t leave the cart for the first 30 minutes of practice open to media. “If I told you I could get up and around here … I can’t, but in about eight or nine days I should be able to do everything without having some guy (driving) me around, telling me what to look at.”
GROHíS DEFENSE
ATLANTA ó Al Groh says his Georgia Tech defense needed a year to learn what to do in his 3-4 scheme.
The 2010 defense struggled at times in Groh’s first year as defensive coordinator.
Now, as he’s preparing for his second season, Groh says he is encouraged that returning players are more comfortable in the scheme. Another plus: He says he has more depth and versatility as he looks for improvement in 2011.
Each of Groh’s three starting defensive linemen are back: ends Izaan Cross and Jason Peters and tackle Logan Walls. There is more experience at linebacker, where senior Steven Sylvester and hard-hitting junior Julian Burnett are returning starters.
Groh says he sees signs “this is the second time through” for the defense in his scheme.
West Rowanís Dominique Noble is a freshman defensive back.
REALIGNMENT
Big East Commissioner John Marinatto says he has been in constant contact with Dan Beebe of the Big 12 and John Swofford of the ACC in recent days and has suggested the three meet to discuss conference realignment.
Marinatto didn’t reveal details about his conversations with his fellow commissioners but said, “I thought it would be important for us to meet face-to-face and take the lead in trying to do things the right way.”
Beebe’s conference, which nearly was wiped out last year when the Pac-10 expanded, is in danger of losing Texas A&M to the Southeastern Conference.
If the Aggies end up in the SEC, the league would likely need to add at least one more member.