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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eventually, Osborne Gets To Talk Football

From Wire Reports

At least Nebraska coach Tom Osborne got to talk about football for a bit.

Media day Wednesday for the two-time defending national champions was a lot about football, a welcome change for Osborne after a long season of off-field problems last year.

But the Cornhuskers’ image did come up.

“I’m going to control what I can,” Osborne said. “We’ve got an image we’ve got to live with, the black hats or whatever. I don’t think it’s totally accurate, but we’ll live with it.”

The latest off-field issue was the departure of two scholarship players. One is backup receiver Riley Washington, who is charged with attempted murder following a shooting last fall outside a Lincoln convenience store.

Washington chose to leave the team and skip his final year of eligibility, Osborne said. But the story drew national attention this week and the coach knew it would be a topic Wednesday.

Washington was not thrown off the team or encouraged to leave, Osborne said. Defensive tackle Larry Townsend was told not to return, though the coach has not disclosed the exact reason.

Sun Devils pumped

Arizona State left the low desert behind Wednesday and headed for training camp with players enthusiastic about the team’s No. 20 preseason ranking and the unity developed by what amounted to a weight-room retreat.

At least 70 players ignored the desiccating heat and their own family ties to spend the summer in Tempe, working out together.

“Everybody’s been working hard over the summer,” said free safety Mitchell Freedman, one of several Sun Devils picked in the preseason for Pac-10 or national honors. “Usually some guys go out of town, but we had a high percentage stay.”

Coach Bruce Snyder alluded to the players’ voluntary gathering, calling it “the most productive off-season we’ve ever had.”

Sensitive guys

A new era of sensitivity has dawned at Valparaiso University.

As an exercise in leadership and teamwork, about 20 football players spent a day in the woods, talking about their weaknesses, strengths and emotions.

“Our barriers have been broken down and we are able to communicate what we are feeling,” senior linebacker Scott Latzke said.

Aztecs ineligible

Rushing leader George Jones and two other star players were declared ineligible for San Diego State’s season opener for violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits, the school said.

Jones, who ranked second nationally in scoring (11.5 points a game) and third nationally in rushing (153.5 yards) last season, will miss the Sept. 7 game against Idaho, as will junior wide receiver Will Blackwell, the Western Athletic Conference receiving leader, and senior cornerback Ricky Parker, who led the Aztecs with six interceptions.