Boise State confirms it too is no longer a Big 12 expansion candidate

By John TaylorSep 1, 2016, 1:01 PM EDT

East Carolina confirmed Wednesday that the Big 12 had informed the university that it was no longer a candidate for the latest round of expansion. A day later, a Mountain West school has done the same.

In a statement, Boise State president Bob Kustra confirmed that the school had expressed an interest in joining the Big 12. However, “the conversations didn’t get far enough to spark a deep analysis on what the partnership could have meant to either Boise State or the Big 12.”

Below is the entire text of Kustra’s statement:

We will always explore opportunities to put our university and our students in the best position for success. In this case, we believe we provided the necessary information for the beginning stages of the process, but the conversations didn’t get far enough to spark a deep analysis on what the partnership could have meant to either Boise State or the Big 12. We remain confident that our membership in the Mountain West Conference provides tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes in all sports. We wish the best to the Big 12 as they move forward.

Boise was one of 20 Group of Five programs who made initial presentations to the Big 12 stating their case for inclusion.

It’s believed that some combination of BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Memphis, UCF and UConn will ultimately be part of any expansion. A report surfaced earlier this week that stated invitations have been sent to those six schools, as well as USF and two other unnamed AAC schools. ESPN reported that number of finalists to be more than a dozen: Air Force, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Houston, Memphis, Rice, SMU, Temple, Tulane, UCF, UConn and USF.

Those on the receiving end of the invitations are expected to take part in another round of presentations, after which the conference will settle on their new members. While the conference is looking at expanding by both two and four teams, it appears the former is the more likely number. A final decision on both the members and number of members is expected at some point in October.

Utah State player upgraded to fair condition after collapse

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:50 AM EDT

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Utah State redshirt freshman wide receiver Josh Davis is in fair condition on Friday, one day after collapsing at spring football practice following sudden cardiac arrest, the university announced.

Davis, initially was listed in critical condition, was breathing on his own. He is in the intensive-care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.

Davis’ parents arrived in Utah on Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Davis, who is from Carlsbad, California, collapsed at Merlin Olsen Field and was immediately treated by the training staff, the university said. He was taken to Logan Regional Hospital.

The university said Davis was stabilized in the Logan hospital before being moved to Ogden.

Alabama suspends freshman defensive back after drug arrest

Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:32 PM EDT

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell has been suspended from the team following his arrest on a drug charge.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday after the first practice of spring that Mitchell was suspended from the team “and all team activities until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mitchell and another man, Christophere Lewis, last week on a charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Lewis also was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You’ve gotta be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around and what you do, who you associate yourself with and the situations that you put yourself in. It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

Mitchell, who is from Alabaster, Alabama, was a five-star prospect rated the 34th-best player and No. 3 safety in the 247Composite rankings.

Mitchell was driving the vehicle during a traffic stop. After deputies smelled marijuana, Mitchell picked up a baggie of marijuana from the passenger floorboard, according to the department’s Facebook post.

Sheriff’s deputies found “an additional significant amount of marijuana, a set of scales, a loaded handgun between the passenger seat and center console, and a large amount of cash,” according to the department’s Facebook post.