Report: Coaches Todd Grantham, John Hevesy Fired by Florida after South Carolina Loss
Nov 8, 2021
COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 4: A Florida Gators logo is seen on a chair during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
The Florida Gators football program has reportedly fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and offensive line coach John Hevesy, sources told ESPN's Chris Low.
The decision comes after the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Gators 40-17 on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Florida's third straight defeat on Saturday dropped the Gators to 4-5. The team is now tied for the second-worst overall record in the SEC East.
Grantham had been at Florida since the school hired Dan Mullen as head coach before the 2018 season. He has also coached at Mississippi State, Louisville, Georgia and has held jobs with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
Defense has been a weak point for the Gators this season, allowing 353.6 yards and 24.7 points per game. They've been trending downward as well, giving up at least 30 points in each of their last three games.
Meanwhile, Hevesy had worked under Mullen since the Gators head coach was at Mississippi State in 2009. Hevesy's offensive line had been underperforming all season. Quarterback Emory Jones is the Gators' leading rusher, while Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis have combined for just 695 rushing yards.
The Gators have just three games remaining this season against Samford, Missouri and Florida State, all of which are unranked. If the team continues to struggle, Mullen could be out of a head coaching job before the 2022 season kicks off.
Florida's decline began during the 2020 season, when it finished 8-4. Before that, the team was 21-5 in Mullen's first two seasons at the helm. In his four seasons at Florida, Mullen is 33-14. His five defeats so far this season are the most of his tenure with the Gators.
Florida's Dan Mullen Says 20-30 Players Had Flu Ahead of Blowout South Carolina Loss
Nov 7, 2021
Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida coach Dan Mullen revealed the team had 20-30 players dealing with flu-like symptoms ahead of Saturday's 40-17 loss to South Carolina:
“We had several guys not even come out onto the field on the bus. I don't want to make excuses for those guys, but I want to give our guys credit for battling, for facing adversity. We had a bunch of guys dealing with sickness. We had to fly some guys up separately from the team, keep everybody separated. Those guys, they still went out. Even though the large number of guys that missed practice, we had quite a few that our training staff tried to do a good job today of IV-ing guys and try to get them ready to be able to go out and perform. And so, that's what I love. I think our guys compete and they're going to work and they're going to fight and they're going to give everything they have.
"We as coaches have got to do a better job to put them in the positions for the effort they give, to put them in position to be successful."
The Gators (4-5) were dominated almost from the opening whistle to lose their third straight game, with pressure mounting on Mullen to turn things around. Florida's five losses are already a high in Mullen's four-year tenure at the school.
The loss to South Carolina was perhaps the worst of Mullen's run in Gainesville. The Gamecocks entered the weekend with only one SEC win, a one-point squeaker over lowly Vanderbilt. However, Shane Beamer's team ran all over Florida, compiling 284 yards on the ground as Kevin Harris and ZaQuandre White each went over the 100-yard mark.
South Carolina scored on its first five possessions of the game and never trailed again after taking a 10-7 lead in the first quarter.
The depleted Gators are 2-5 in the SEC but should get back on a winning track on Saturday at home against Samford, an FCS program.
Mike Leach: Mississippi State Will Hold Kicker Tryout After FG Misses vs. Arkansas
Nov 7, 2021
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 06: Head Coach Mike Leach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs arrives at the stadium before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will be holding open tryouts for a new kicker following Saturday's 31-28 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks, a game in which Mike Leach's team missed three field goal attempts.
"There's an open tryout on our campus for kickers," the Mississippi State head coach said after the loss, per ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "Anybody that wants to kick or walk on and kick at Mississippi State, we'll hold a tryout any time you can get over there to our building, providing you're cleared by the NCAA."
Senior Brandon Ruiz and freshman Nolan McCord combined to go 0-of-3 on field goals in Saturday's loss. Ruiz missed from 23 and 46 yards, while McCord, who was given the opportunity to hit a game-tying field goal to reach overtime, missed from 40 yards.
It's not surprising that Leach is disappointed in his kickers. The duo left nine points on the table, and if they hit at least two of their attempts they could have won the game.
Ruiz entered Saturday's game 17-of-17 on extra points, but 5-of-7 on field goal attempts. He has yet to hit a 50-plus yard field goal this season, and has made just 2-of-9 from that range in his college career.
McCord entered Saturday 8-of-8 on extra points and 4-of-7 on field goal attempts.
While the kickers were ineffective against Arkansas, Leach also told reporters after the loss that the Bulldogs needed to do a better job on defense:
"We just didn’t stop them," he said. "I thought their offensive line did a good job blocking us. I thought we needed to affect the quarterback more, and then when we did, we didn’t finish the deal. We’ve got to penetrate and create havoc back there. The other thing, we took our eyes off some guys."
Mississippi State's offense was the least of the team's concerns as quarterback Will Rogers completed 36-of-48 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns against one interception.
Saturday's loss dropped Mississippi State to 5-4 with three games left against No. 13 Auburn, unranked Tennessee State and No. 16 Ole Miss.
Bryce Young, No. 2 Alabama Hold Off Unranked LSU for Win in SEC Rivalry Game
Nov 7, 2021
Alabama defensive backs Jordan Battle (9), DeMarcco Hellams (2) and Jalyn Armour-Davis (5) celebrate after an interception by Armour-Davis against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide continue to impress this season with a 20-14 win over the unranked LSU Tigers on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium to move to 8-1. It was the team's third straight victory following a 41-38 loss to No. 13 Texas A&M on Oct. 9.
Quarterback Bryce Young had a big night for the Crimson Tide, as did defenders Jalyn Armour-Davis and Will Anderson Jr., who played significant roles in the win.
Notable Stats
Bryce Young, QB, ALA: 24/37 for 302 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Max Johnson, QB, LSU: 16/32 for 160 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Alabama Defense, Bryce Young keep Crimson Tide Afloat
Young continued his solid 2021 season in Saturday's win over LSU. However, the Alabama defense was a true difference-maker against the Tigers, forcing two turnovers compared to the Crimson Tide's one.
The Crimson Tide and Tigers would've entered halftime tied 7-7, but Alabama's Jalyn Armour-Davis picked off LSU quarterback Max Johnson with 1:21 remaining in the second quarter. Five plays later, Young connected with John Metchie III for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
The interception was Armour-Davis' third of the season, and the redshirt junior defensive back also had two tackles in the game.
Junior outside linebacker Henry To'o To'o also came up big for Alabama on Saturday, forcing LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price to fumble on the Tigers' opening possession of the third quarter.
The turnover set up Young and the Crimson Tide offense at the Alabama 42-yard line. Young ended up linking with junior wide receiver Jameson Williams for a 58-yard score.
To'oTo'o finished the game with one forced fumble and nine tackles.
Alabama sophomore linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was the Crimson Tide's best defender against LSU, though, recording 1.5 sacks, 12 tackles and three tackles for a loss. He drew praise from many because of his performance:
Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson’s first half numbers vs. LSU:
— Seven tackles (five solo) — 3.5 tackles for loss — 1.5 sacks
With his four tackles for a loss so far tonight, #Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr. is currently at 21 on the season. That's the highest total by a Tide player since Wallace Gilberry had 27 during the entire 2007 season. pic.twitter.com/Rqr2tiIb9R
Alabama entered Saturday's game against LSU with the second-best defense in the SEC, allowing 308.8 yards per game through eight contests.
While the team's passing defense hasn't been great this year, allowing 219.1 passing yards per game, it limited Johnson to just 160 yards on 16-of-32 passing.
Young was also part of the reason Alabama won on Saturday. He heavily outplayed his counterpart, throwing for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
Max Johnson, LSU Offense Unimpressive Despite Keeping Things Competitive
Johnson and the LSU offense opened Saturday's game with an impressive eight-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. However, things went downhill from there.
The Tigers punted on three straight possessions after their opening drive before Johnson tossed his sixth interception of the year.
The LSU offense then opened the second half with a fumble before punting yet again. The fumble was costly, as Alabama scored on the ensuing drive to make it a 20-7 game.
Some took note of the Tigers' struggles on offense against the Crimson Tide:
#LSU's defense played well beyond anyone's anticipation in the first half, which is why the Tigers are only down 14-7.
The offense? 77 total yards.
Punter Avery Atkins (26 yards) has more passing yards than quarterback Max Johnson (22 yards).
While the team made an impressive push in the second half cutting the score 20-14 in the third quarter, the team's struggles early, and late inconsistencies, were too costly to overcome.
Safety Cameron Lewis forced a late Young fumble in the fourth quarter, but Johnson and the LSU offense were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, giving the ball back to Alabama with the opportunity to close things out.
The Tigers offense has been one of the worst in the SEC this season. Entering Saturday's game, the team was averaging 382 total yards per game, fourth-worst in the conference.
What's Next?
Alabama will host New Mexico State next weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium, while LSU will host the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs for a gain as Auburn's Smoke Monday (21) and Owen Pappoe (0) defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Texas A&M continues to take down SEC heavyweights after a 20-3 win over Auburn in a defensive battle at Kyle Field on Saturday.
Since losing back-to-back games against Arkansas and Mississippi State, the Aggies have been playing their best football of the season. They stunned Alabama 41-38 on Oct. 9 and outscored Missouri and South Carolina by a combined score of 79-28.
The Tigers entered this week ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff standings. They were tied with Alabama in the loss column for the top spot in the SEC West division before this game.
Both defenses were expected to dominate in this game. They more than lived up to their potential. Auburn kept Texas A&M's offense out of the end zone. Zach Calzada had just 192 yards on 29 pass attempts.
The Aggies only allowed 226yards in the win, and the defense scored the game's only touchdown on Micheal Clemons' 24-yard fumble return early in the fourth quarter.
Isaiah Spiller was the offensive standout. Texas A&M's junior running back racked up 112 yards on 21carries.
Notable Game Stats
Zach Calzada (A&M): 15-of-29, 192 yards
Isaiah Spiller (A&M): 21 carries, 112 yards
Devon Achane (A&M): 10 carries, 98 yards
Bo Nix (AUB): 20-of-41, 153 yards, INT
Tank Bigsby (AUB): 15 carries, 69 yards
John Samuel Shenker (AUB): 4 receptions, 50 yards
Aggies Defense Leads the Way in Marquee Win
Defense has been the strength for Texas A&M this season. Alabama and Mississippi State are the only opponents that have scored more than 14 points against this group in 2021.
The Aggies offense has had some good moments this season, but there's no disputing it has a lot of room to improve. The unit into Saturday tied for 104th in the nation with 29.6 points per game.
That figure is going to go down after Saturday. There were plenty of sloppy moments against a good Auburn defense.
After picking up 80 yards on 14 plays and kicking a field goal on their opening drive, the Aggies rank a total of 24 plays over their next six drives. They had three three-and-outs during that span.
Neither offense was able to get any sustained momentum going in the first half.
Auburn 3, Texas A&M 3. Halftime.
Not great execution by either team on offense, but good defensive play.
Calzada appeared to suffer a shoulder injury on the drive, but he was able to remain in the game.
After the defense forced a three-and-out against Auburn, the Aggies were able to get another field goal from Small to go up 9-3 with 13:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Fittingly, Texas A&M's defense sealed the win on Auburn's ensuing possession. Nix fumbled the football without being touched, allowing Micheal Clemons to pick it up and run it in for the score.
Texas A&M converted a two-point conversion to make it a 17-3 game.
Devon Achane looked like he was going to blow the game wide open after getting past the Auburn defense for a 68-yard gain, but he was caught from behind and lost the football. Roger McCreary picked it up for the Tigers at their own 5-yard line.
What seemed like a glimmer of hope for Auburn turned into more of the same for the offense. It gained 41 yards on 12 plays, but the drive stalled with a turnover on downs.
While this game wasn't pretty or technically sound, Texas A&M did show tremendous resolve with its stellar effort on defense.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher will have to get his offense back on track against better opposition, but this is an excellent win for the Aggies' resume against a quality opponent.
Nix's Mistake Costs Tigers
There were some indications that Nix was taking steps forward in recent weeks. The junior quarterback went a combined 43-of-56 for 568 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in wins over Arkansas and Mississippi.
Another reason to be optimistic that he could step up was Texas A&M's middling defensive stats relative to its competition.
Per Jason Caldwell of 247Sports, the Aggies allowed an average of 313 yards through the air this season against the top four passing teams they have played (Mississippi State, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas).
While no one would confuse Auburn for an air-raid offense, Nix's recent improvements made this an intriguing matchup.
Instead, it looked like a lot of his other big-game performances. The Alabama native averaged 3.7yards per attempt.
This is basically the type of player Nix has been over the course of his Auburn career. He's made incremental improvements in three seasons, including a career-high completion percentage (62.9) and yards per attempt (7.3) in 2021 coming into Saturday. However, his efforts against the Aggies were far from enough.
Nix wasn't the only issue for the Tigers in the loss, though. They came into this game ranked 35th in the nation with 197.8 rushing yards per game. They were held to 73 yards on 29 carries.
Kobe Hudson dropped a pass on the first play of Auburn's second possession that would have gone for a first down. The drive ultimately yielded a field goal, but the usually-surehanded Hudson only had one catch for eight yards.
Auburn still has three games left, including home matchups with Mississippi State next week and the Iron Bowl against Alabama on Nov. 27.
This is the type of performance that should force head coach Bryan Harsin and his staff to go back to the drawing board for the final stretch of the year. If the offense doesn't get better, this once-promising season could fall apart quickly.
What's Next?
Auburn will host No. 17 Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. ET. Texas A&M will take on No. 16 Mississippi at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
This article will be updated to
provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
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Ole Miss Apologizes After Official Twitter Account Mocks Former Coach Hugh Freeze
Nov 6, 2021
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze looks towards his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze, who formerly coached Ole Miss, received an apology from the Rebels on Saturday after the school's Twitter account mocked him following a 27-14 win over the Flames.
"These tweets were unfortunate and not who we are in Ole Miss athletics," Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter told ESPN's Chris Low. "When I found out about them, they were immediately taken down. I have spoken with (Liberty athletic director) Ian McCaw to relay my sincere apology. We will work to do better in the future."
The Ole Miss Twitter account included in a since-deleted post a photo of Freeze coaching from a hospital bed two years ago while recovering from surgery for a herniated disc in his back.
Oh, Ole Miss can delete the tweets, but the internet will ALWAYS have receipts. pic.twitter.com/LQgOXHjs0z
Despite the tweets, Freeze said he felt welcomed in his return to Ole Miss:
"For (wife) Jill and I, it was an answered prayer the reception we got," Freeze said. "We heard zero negative things, and it was incredible to visit with friends Friday and Saturday. The people there were so kind to us. Ole Miss has a really good football team, and I'm glad to see them winning again."
Freeze, who coached the Rebels from 2012 to 2016, resigned from Ole Miss in 2017 after a "pattern of inappropriate conduct" that included a "one-minute call made from Freeze's University-issued phone to a number associated with a female escort service," according to USA Today's Dan Wolken.
Ole Miss committed 15 Level I violations while Freeze was the head coach, resulting in the loss of 33 wins (fielding ineligible players), a two-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions.
The 52-year-old went 39-25 in his five seasons as head coach of the Rebels. His best season came in 2016, when Ole Miss went 10-3 and defeated Oklahoma State University in the Sugar Bowl.
Freeze became head coach at Liberty in 2019 and is 25-9 overall and 7-3 this season following Saturday's loss.
Stetson Bennett, No. 1 Georgia Roll Past Missouri 43-6 to Stay Undefeated
Nov 6, 2021
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs passes in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs remained undefeated Saturday with a dominant 43-6 win over the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
Mizzou starting quarterback Connor Bazelak missed the game with an undisclosed injury, leaving freshmen Tyler Macon and Brady Cook to split the snaps under center.
The swarming Georgia defense took advantage of that inexperience, holding the Tigers to 273 total yards.
Georgia also received solid play from quarterback Stetson Bennett, who threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, and benefited from the Bulldogs rushing for 168 yards as a team.
The Bulldogs improved to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the SEC with Saturday's win, while Missouri dropped to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
Notable Stats
Stetson Bennett, QB, UGA: 13-of-19 for 255 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Brady Cook, QB, MIZZ: 14-of-19 for 78 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT; 10 CAR for 32 YDS
James Cook, RB, UGA: 9 CAR for 41 YDS, 1 TD
Tyler Badie, RB, MIZZ: 9 CAR for 41 YDS; 5 REC for 10 YDS
That play extended the Georgia lead to 9-3 and also ensured that the Bulldogs offense would get the ball back immediately.
Jason Butt of UGASports.com expressed his belief that the safety was a better result than the touchdown:
The safety actually turned out better than a TD. Georgia gets 9 points instead of 7 before giving the ball back to Missouri. And the defense got a nice breather.
A Georgia touchdown on the ensuing drive extended the lead to 16-3, and then it was the defense that made a big play to ensure momentum remained on the Dawgs' side.
Georgia stopped Macon on a fourth-down rush attempt, giving the ball back to the offense once again:
The Bulldogs turned that into a field goal and then continued to pour it on and add to the lead as the game wore on.
Ultimately, the Bulldogs allowed just six points in the game, meaning they have allowed 13 or fewer points in every game this season.
Georgia played so well in every phase that it built a huge lead and allowed for JT Daniels to see some action at quarterback in the second half.
Defense will likely be the biggest factor in whether Georgia wins a national championship, but if Daniels plays his way back into the starting conversation at quarterback, he could help give head coach Kirby Smart a more explosive offense as well.
Missouri Run Defense Stout in Lopsided Loss
Little went right for Missouri in Saturday's loss, but one thing the Tigers can hang their hat on is their performance against the run.
With James Cook and Zamir White leading the way, the Bulldogs have enjoyed a great deal of success on the ground throughout the season.
That wasn't necessarily the case Saturday, though, as Mizzou held the Bulldogs to 168team rushing yards on 33 carries, which equated to a 5.1 yards-per-carry average.
Of that yardage, 37 came on a reverse run by wide receiver Kearis Jackson, which was more of a misdirection play than a traditional run.
Brandon Kiley of BK & Ferrario on 101 ESPN in St. Louis gave the Missouri defense props for stacking up the Georgia running game during the first half after struggling so mightily in that regard throughout the season:
Georgia has 9 carries for 21 yards. It’s okay to give credit. #Mizzou’s run defense has been hot garbage all year. It’s been outstanding through the first quarter today. https://t.co/KAgbsc3isb
KMOV's Brenden Schaeffer was also impressed after the Missouri defense stiffened and held Georgia to a field goal in the red zone during the second quarter:
I never expected to be so darn impressed by the Mizzou defensive front at this stage of a football game against Georgia, in Athens, in the year 2021. Great stand there.
Both White and Kenny McIntosh averaged less than 2.0 yards per carry in the game, which is no easy task given their talent and that of the Bulldogs offensive line.
By keeping Georgia's running game in check, it forced Bennett to make some plays in the passing game.
Bennett was largely up to the task and the Georgia defense kept Missouri from keeping things close on the scoreboard, but it was an encouraging performance for the Mizzou defense nonetheless.
If nothing else, other teams may try to take a page out of Missouri's book in hopes of Bennett being unable to be the driving force behind the Georgia offense late in the season.
What's Next?
Georgia will look to keep its perfect season rolling next Saturday when it goes on the road to face the Tennessee Volunteers.
Missouri will also be in action next Saturday when it attempts to bounce back in a home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
5-Star DT Walter Nolen Commits to Texas A&M over Tennessee, Florida, More
Nov 6, 2021
Texas A&Mlanded a commitment from one of the top players in the 2022 class, defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
The 5-star recruit's father informed 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong of Nolen's decision Saturday.
Nolen is the No. 2 overall player in a 2022 class that has a lot of top defensive talent, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Regarding his son's commitment, Walter Nolen Sr. said: "Like I said before, they play the style of football he plays. He'll fit in my eyesight; he'll fit in well. It's a gritty, it's down in the trenches, it's dirty, you have to be physical up front. This is what they do for the whole 60 minutes."
The 6'4", 325-pound lineman is an explosive athlete who is extremely difficult to block. He has an excellent first step off the line and knows how to use his hands to keep opposing players from gaining position on him.
His quickness also allows him to penetrate into the backfield with regularity.
Mike Farrell of Rivals.com said: "It's hard to find disruptive defensive tackles and ones that can rush the passer like a defensive end are very rare."
Why is Walter Nolen the No. 1 overall player for the 2022 class?
His size and technique give him the ability to make an impact early in his college career, while his athleticism gives him even higher upside.
It's why he's not only highly rated by scouting services but also received scholarship offers from dozens of schools, including many of the top programs in college football.
Texas A&M is hoping to contend with the best teams in the SEC. The added depth on the defensive line from this commitment should go a long way to helping the team accomplish its goals.
The Aggies have been on the brink of title contention in recent years and get players to the NFL, two factors that likely helped sway his decision. The program has had 13 players drafted over the last three seasons.
Even with more experienced players already on the roster, Nolen has a chance to make an early impact for his new team.
Georgia LB Adam Anderson Reportedly Suspended Following Rape Allegation
Nov 4, 2021
Georgia linebacker Adam Anderson (19) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
This story contains descriptions of an alleged sexual assault.
Athens Police are reportedly investigating Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Adam Anderson after a woman said he raped her.
Seth Emerson of The Athletic cited an incident report that was released by Athens (Georgia) police Thursday and reported there has not been an arrest in the ongoing investigation.
"According to the report, a woman told police that she went to a residence after having some drinks and awoke to the suspect penetrating her while she was lying in bed," Emerson wrote. "She stated that it was nonconsensual and that she was able to leave."
Mark Schlabach of ESPN reported the Bulldogs suspended Anderson indefinitely.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart provided a statement, per Emerson: "We don't comment on law enforcement matters, but I've been clear about the high standards we have for our student-athletes on and off the field. I will be working closely with our administration to ensure we cooperate fully with all law enforcement and campus protocols."
Anderson is one of the defensive leaders for the Bulldogs, who are No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings and face Missouri on Saturday.
Tennessee Won't Self-Impose Bowl Ban After Investigation into Recruiting Violations
Nov 4, 2021
College Football: Closeup of Nike footballs on field before Mississippi vs Tennessee-Martin game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Equipment.
Oxford, MS 9/5/2015
CREDIT: Pouya Dianat (Photo by Pouya Dianat /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X159910 TK1 )
The Tennessee Volunteers football program announced Thursday that it will not self-impose a postseason ban following an investigation into recruiting violations under coach Jeremy Pruitt.
"We will hold ourselves accountable considering the nature of the violations, our prompt investigation and corrective personnel actions, the new recruiting environment and other factors," the school's statement read (h/t The Athletic). "In the interest of protecting the rights of innocent student-athletes, the university will not impose a postseason bowl ban."
"NCAA bylaws prevent us from sharing details of the investigation at this time, but we do commit to providing that information when we are able," the statement continued. "We appreciate the patience and support of our fans during this process."
At 4-4 (2-3 SEC), the Volunteers are two wins away from bowl eligibility. Tennessee may choose to self-impose other penalties, such as a reduction in scholarships or recruiting limitations. The NCAA could also opt to punish the program beyond its self-imposed sanctions.
Pruitt was fired for cause on Jan. 18 after an investigation that began nearly a year ago. The university reportedly "uncovered evidence that members of Pruitt's football staff engaged in conduct likely to result in serious NCAA rules violations and Pruitt failed to monitor their actions or promote an atmosphere of compliance," per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel (via Yahoo Sports).
After Danny White was brought on as athletic director, he hired Josh Heupel from UCF on Jan. 27 to take the head coaching position.
Tennessee has lost two straight, falling to No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 4 Alabama. Things don't get much easier this Saturday as the Vols will face No. 17 Kentucky (6-2, 4-2). Tennessee also has a matchup against No. 1 Georgia on the horizon on Nov. 13.
