Wolverines name Mallett to start at QB

Michigan made it official: Freshman Ryan Mallett will start at quarterback against Notre Dame on Saturday, and he could have the job a few weeks longer than that.

By From News Services

Last update: September 11, 2007 - 12:53 AM

Michigan made it official: Freshman Ryan Mallett will start at quarterback against Notre Dame on Saturday, and he could have the job a few weeks longer than that.

Coach Lloyd Carr had called starter Chad Henne doubtful for Notre Dame after the Wolverines' 39-7 loss to Oregon, and when the official depth chart was released Monday, it listed Mallett as No. 1 and redshirt freshman David Cone as his backup.

Henne limped off the field at the end of the first half against Oregon and did not return as Michigan dropped to 0-2.

Asked during his weekly news conference to update his team's quarterback status, Carr simply responded: "Ryan Mallett."

People with knowledge of Henne's left knee injury expect him to be out at least two to three weeks.

"We'll see how he does this week," Carr said. "I talked with him [Sunday]. He's in good spirits. He's disappointed, but he'll come back quicker than most."

Henne struggled in losses to Appalachian State and Oregon, hitting 31 of 60 passes for two touchdowns with two interceptions, but he did tie John Navarre for the school record for most career passing touchdowns with 72.

Hawaii will continue 'haka' dance

A demonstration of Polynesian pride or just plain offensive?

Hawaii coach June Jones said his team would continue performing a pregame Maori war dance called a "haka," despite being penalized for it Saturday at Louisiana Tech, where the Warriors escaped with a 45-44 overtime victory.

The Warriors performed the emotional chant away from the field in front of their own fans, but were assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. That forced Hawaii to kick from its 15, giving the Bulldogs possession near midfield and setting up Louisiana Tech's first touchdown.

"It's not going to prevent us from doing the haka in the future," Jones said.

Hawaii, which slipped four spots to No. 24 in the Associated Press poll this week, was penalized because Louisiana Tech was still on the field. But Jones expressed frustration because his team was so far away, on top of a hill near the locker room.

"We were 75 yards removed from the field, doing what we do -- something that's special to Hawaii and special to our fans," he said. "It was just an unfortunate situation, I thought."

Etc.

• Fifth-ranked Florida will be without Andre Caldwell against No. 22 Tennessee on Saturday, and maybe longer, after the receiver hurt his right knee. Caldwell sprained his medial collateral ligament in Florida's 59-31 victory over Troy and could be sidelined at least two weeks. Caldwell touched the ball eight times for 130 yards and a touchdown in Florida's first two games.

• Louisville safety Latarrius Thomas will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury, and coach Steve Kragthorpe said the sophomore likely will apply for a medical redshirt. Thomas tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the ninth-ranked Cardinals' 58-42 victory over Middle Tennessee last week.

• Kansas State linebacker Antwon Moore is out for the season because of an undisclosed injury. The 5-10, 210-pound junior appeared to hurt his left knee while sacking San Jose State quarterback Adam Tafralis during the Wildcats' 34-14 victory Saturday. Tafralis came down awkwardly on Moore's left leg, and Moore lay on the field for a few minutes before being helped off.

• Pitt defensive tackle Gus Mustakas will miss the rest of the season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, leaving the Panthers without their top defensive lineman. Mustakas was injured during the third quarter of a 34-10 victory over Grambling State.

• Antonio Taylor, Utah State's leading tackler, was suspended for the season for a violation of team rules -- ending his career with the Aggies.

• Freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor will get his first start Saturday when No. 18 Virginia Tech plays host to Ohio. Taylor replaced starter Sean Glennon late in the first half in the Hokies' 48-7 loss to No. 2 LSU. Glennon, a junior who started the last 15 games, will be the backup.

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