California lawmaker seeks end of BCS

The Republican leader of the California Senate has introduced a resolution calling for the dissolution of the Bowl Championship Series.

Sen. Dick Ackerman, an unhappy alumnus of California, is only half-kidding with the measure, which even if approved could not force the breakup of the BCS.

Ackerman, a 1964 Cal graduate, is furious that his school lost a chance to play in one of college football’s big-money games despite ranking among the top five in the polls most of the year.

“The BCS has proven in its seven-year existence that it is a failure,” Ackerman said. “It has failed at the expense of California and other Pac-10 teams that have lost millions of dollars in revenue.”

There’s no word yet whether the Texas legislature will seek a resolution endorsing the BCS. Texas slipped past Cal in the BCS standings in the final week and received an invitation to play in the Rose Bowl, even though the Longhorns were previously ranked behind Cal.

Ackerman blamed Cal’s loss on last-minute lobbying efforts by Texas officials.

“Politicking and campaigning have no place in college athletics,” he said. “Teams should be judged on their performances on the field and not by the success of their PR campaigns.”

Ludwig leaves Oregon for Utah

Oregon offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has been named offensive coordinator at Utah, launching a search for a replacement for the Ducks who will become the third man to hold the job in five seasons under Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti.

Ludwig, 40, told the Portland Oregonian that he wasn’t forced out and hadn’t thought about leaving Oregon until he received a phone call from new Utah coach Kyle Whittingham a week ago.

Ludwig and Whittingham were both assistants at Idaho State from 1989-91. Also, Ludwig was a Utah graduate assistant in 1992 where he coached with Whittingham’s late father, Fred.

Ludwig declined to give details about the switch, but said: “It wasn’t a lateral move.”

McLendon to enter draft

North Carolina State tailback T.A. McLendon, an injury-prone runner who never matched the promise he showed as a freshman, will skip his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

“I have enjoyed my time at N.C. State and have a great relationship with coach (Chuck) Amato and the other coaches,” McLendon said in a statement released by the school Monday. “But I have a family to take care of and I’ve decided that it is time for me to start thinking about my future.”