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

Quick kicks

The Spokesman-Review

Wuerffel’s ministry gets help

His former school, friends and ex-teammates have rallied around Danny Wuerffel after Desire Street Ministries suffered major damage in Hurricane Katrina. The former Florida Gator quarterback who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy, gave the impression that he would sell his Heisman if he had to in order to save the New Orleans ministry he works at as a director. But things are looking up for Wuerffel. He said Saturday night that the ministry will sign a lease on Monday with the University of Florida to use a facility at Camp Timpoochee in Niceville through May.

Wuerffel was honored at halftime of Saturday’s game against Tennessee by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and the Heisman Foundation as the 2005 “Tradition of Excellence Award” recipient.

Georgia Tech QB ends up in hospital

Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was hospitalized Saturday after becoming ill and missed the Yellow Jackets’ game against Connecticut.

School spokeswoman Allison George said Ball began feeling sick Friday and was taken to Emory University Hospital for tests the morning of the game against Connecticut. She did not know the nature of his illness.

Ball was being kept at the hospital overnight, George said.

But what have you done for us lately?

Depending on the talk show or the e-mail posted in a newspaper, Oklahoma fans drew some nasty conclusions this week regarding the capability of Sooners offensive coordinator Chuck Long.

Long, according to the man-on-the-street expert, is either incapable of drawing up an effective game plan, cannot adapt to new personnel, is holding back most of the offense for no apparent good reason or is just plain incompetent.

How soon they forget.

As Bob Stoops’ coordinator and play-caller for the past three seasons, Long produced teams that led the Big 12 in passing efficiency (2004), set OU records for most points scored, most TD passes, receptions and receiving yards (2003) and birthed the first 1,000-yard rusher (Quentin Griffin) under Stoops (2002).

Long shrugged at the week’s heat.

“Hey,” he said, “I played quarterback in Detroit for eight years.”