CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he expects starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei to be back on the field for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former first-round draft pick has missed most of training camp and both preseason games with a stress reaction in his right foot.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) β Sophomore Connor Mitch will start at quarterback for South Carolina when it opens the season on Sept. 3 against North Carolina. Coach Steve Spurrier announced the decision yesterday, ending a four-way race. Mitch was the favorite coming into fall practice, but Spurrier has said Mitch struggled during scrimmages.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) β Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader is leaving the team because of personal matters. Coach Dabo Swinney said yesterday it’s not clear how long Reader will be away. The coach says in a statement that Reader has “personal issues he has to deal with at this time.”
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) β Alabama and LSU each placed 10 players on the coaches’ preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams. The Crimson Tide had five first-team selections on the teams released yesterday. South Carolina’s Pharoh Cooper was a first-teamer as a receiver, all-purpose athlete and return specialist.
