Associated Press
The college football notebook …
COLUMBUS, Ohio ó A national spring game record crowd of 95,722 came out to enjoy the high temperatures and watch Terrelle Pryor throw two long touchdown passes in 30 seconds, leading the Gray over the Scarlet 23-3 on Saturday at sun-drenched Ohio Stadium.
The 80-degree weather played a big role in the attendance, which topped the 92,138 Alabama drew for Nick Saban’s coaching debut in 2007.
Ohio fans paid $5 per ticket, with the bulk of the money going to local charities. Many showed up in tank tops and shorts to soak up the sun on the warmest day of the year while watching Pryor strut his stuff.
Pryor broke open a close scrimmage with touchdown passes of 44 yards to Taurian Washington and 42 yards to Ray Small late in the second half. Pryor started as a freshman for last year’s 10-3 Buckeyes team.
SOUTHERN CAL
LOS ANGELES ó On the same day sophomore Aaron Corp steps in as Southern California’s No. 1 quarterback, the Trojans face several reminders of the talented players they must replace.
Corp emerged as the successor to Mark Sanchez at the end of spring practice.
While Corp is on the field, Sanchez and linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews are expected to give USC four first-round picks in the NFL draft. That trio is featured on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated. Another linebacker, Kaluka Maiava, is likely to go in the later rounds.
“This might be one of the biggest draft parties ever,” coach Pete Carroll said Friday. “We might have moments of appreciation in there when guys get picked.”
Then it’ll be back to business.
Corp got into just five games last season, but for now, he owns the edge over freshman Matt Barkley. Junior Mitch Mustain is slotted as No. 3 on the depth chart, followed by Garrett Green and redshirt freshman John Manoogian.
TENNESSEEKNOXVILLE, Tenn. ó Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said former Volunteers quarterback B.J. Coleman had improved during the spring practice period.
“We wish B.J. the best of luck and wish he would have stayed,” Kiffin said Friday in a statement. “We think he definitely had improved during our short time with him.”
Kiffin did not comment further about Coleman’s decision to leave.
The rising sophomore told the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Thursday he was choosing to go because he was frustrated and didn’t feel he would get a fair chance at becoming starting quarterback.
COLORADOBOULDER, Colo. ó Colorado sophomore quarterback Tyler Hansen broke his right thumb on his throwing hand in the Buffaloes’ annual spring game Saturday.