Quick kicks
Weis signs 10-year contract
Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis signed a 10-year contract Saturday designed to keep him in South Bend until 2015. Weis’ original contract ran from 2005 to 2010. The new one will take effect in 2006.
“In a very short period of time, Charlie has clearly and impressively demonstrated the ability to take the Notre Dame program where we all want it to go,” Irish athletic director Kevin White said. “We’re confident that we’ve got the best coach in America ensconced at his alma mater for the remainder of his career.”
The new contract had been in the works for a while. It was signed after Weis, 49, returned from off-week recruiting trips and the Friday funeral in New York for Wellington Mara, owner of the New York Giants.
“Since the first day I arrived at Notre Dame as head football coach, one of my primary goals was to be able to see this job through to the time my son, Charlie (a seventh-grader), would graduate from Notre Dame and to stay in this position until I retire,” Weis said.
“By restructuring this contract, adding an additional five years, this allows me to accomplish that goal.”
Tennessee retires Manning’s number
Tennessee’s starting quarterback has been wearing Peyton Manning’s old No. 16 all season. He wore a different number on Saturday, as the former All-American’s number was retired.
Manning was honored during a ceremony at midfield before No. 23 Tennessee played South Carolina.
Quarterback Rick Clausen donned a No. 7 jersey in deference to Manning, who told Clausen to keep wearing his old number.
“It makes me even more humble,” Manning said. “I’m not comfortable with him doing that.”
Small-school stars
San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson completed 20 of 26 passes for 345 yards and seven touchdowns in the Toreros’ 63-21 win over Valparaiso.
“Anton Clarkson, Hofstra, passed for 415 yards and ran for a touchdown, leading the Pride to a 48-24 win against Rhode Island.
“J.D. Ricca, Hampden-Sydney, threw for 388 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a 66-27 win over Dickinson.
From wire reports