PANTHERS-CAMP QUESTIONS
Rivera: Panthers have found answers at WR
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) β Coach Ron Rivera says the Panthers have found some answers at wide receiver as the team wrapped up its 20th training camp at Wofford College.
Rivera says rookie Kelvin Benjamin, a first-round draft pick out of Florida State, and veteran newcomers Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant have emerged as the team’s top three wide receivers.
The coach says “those three guys have really stepped up and have really showed that they’ve meshed very nicely.”
The Panthers opened camp July 25 with plenty of questions at that position after parting ways with their top four wide receivers from last season including Steve Smith, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver.
Rivera says the Panthers have a “good handle” now on their revamped offensive line, but are still looking for answers at cornerback.
CLEMSON-STOUDT
Clemson’s Stoudt says bruised knee is fine
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) β Clemson quarterback Cole Stoudt says he doesn’t expect to miss practice time with a knee he bruised in a scrimmage last week.
Stoudt received treatment on his knee after the Tigers held a scrimmage last Saturday. He returned to action Monday and said he didn’t miss a snap during the session.
Stoudt is a senior who won Clemson’s starting job in the spring after the spending the previous three seasons as backup to record-setting quarterback Tajh Boyd.
Stoudt is scheduled to start the Tigers’ season opener at Georgia on Aug. 30th, although both coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris have said that highly regarded freshman Deshaun Watson will see playing time against the Bulldogs.
Stoudt is the son of former NFL passer Cliff Stoudt.
S CAROLINA-PREVIEW
Spurrier confident Gamecocks will continue success
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) β Steve Spurrier’s confident South Carolina hasn’t run out of football talent, even with some of the best in the game off to the NFL.
The Gamecocks coach is entering his 10th year and believes after three-straight 11-2 seasons, his club is prepared for that next step of a Southeastern Conference championship.
Spurrier’s not alone. South Carolina was the preseason pick last month to win the SEC East and give the head ball coach a shot at his first league crown since his “Fun-n-Gun” days at Florida.
That might be hard for some to swallow with the top-flight performers the Gamecocks have sent to the pros in recent years including NFL No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney.
Spurrier says the Gamecocks have plenty of good players ready to continue the successful run.
NASCAR-GORDON SPONSORSHIP
3M reaches 3-year sponsorship deal with Gordon
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) β 3M has reached a three-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports and will serve as Jeff Gordon’s primary sponsor for 11 races a season starting in 2015.
The deal was announced Tuesday. 3M will serve as the associate sponsor for Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet in all other races from 2015-17.
3M had been on Greg Biffle’s car for Roush-Fenway Racing.
Gordon is a four-time NASCAR champion, and his 90 victories rank third on the career wins list. He’s second in the points standings, with two wins and 15 top-10s in 22 Sprint Cup races this season.
All five of 3M’s business units, which comprise more than $31 billion in annual sales, will use the sponsorship in consumer promotions, product launches and business-to-business opportunities.
DUKE-BROWN
Duke LB Kelby Brown out for year with knee injury
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) β Duke linebacker Kelby Brown will miss the season after suffering a knee injury during a preseason scrimmage.
In a release Tuesday, the school said the all-Atlantic Coast Conference performer tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during Monday’s scrimmage. The fifth-year senior is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday.
The injury is a big blow for the Blue Devils, who made a surprise run to the Coastal Division championship and reached the ACC title game. Brown was an all-ACC first-team pick and one of the league’s top tacklers with 114.
Brown had a career-high 17 tackles against Georgia Tech in September, then matched that against Miami in November.
It is the third time Brown has torn a knee ligament in his college career.
NC STATE-INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY
NC State eyes football boost with indoor facility
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren says the project to build an indoor practice facility will help the football program “immensely.”
The school held a dedication ceremony Tuesday at the off-campus site, located in a parking lot next to Carter-Finley Stadium and the practice fields. The indoor facility will cost $14 million, and will have a 120-yard football field with a roof high enough for kicking drills.
The facility, a long-awaited addition for the football program, is scheduled for completion in the spring. Doeren calls it the final piece in creating “one of the most complete setups in the country” for football.
It will also have sprint lanes and jumping areas for the track programs. Athletic director Debbie Yow says soccer, baseball and softball programs will also use the facility.
