COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

FCS: Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses helped transform a program that went 0-11 in his freshman year into a conference champion and capped his record-breaking career with an All-American season. The senior, who leads the nation in yards passing (3,998) and touchdown passes (34), was selected to The Associated Press FCS All-American team released Wednesday, along with running backs Nate Eachus of Colgate and Taiwan Jones of Eastern Washington. Moses led the Lumberjacks to a Southland Conference title and a spot in the FCS playoffs this season, setting conference records for career yards passing and total offense along the way. He’s a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top player in what used to be known as Division I-AA. His teammate, receiver Gralyn Crawford, made the All-America team as an all-purpose player. “We want SFA to be in contention for a conference championship every year,” Moses said. “Nothing would make me happier than to see SFA keep winning when I’m gone.” Moses and SFA were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by defending FCS champion Villanova, which plays Jones and Eastern Washington in tonight’s semifinal game. Jones, second in the nation in rushing, was joined on the first-team by teammate J.C. Sherritt, a linebacker. Offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, a 320-pound NFL prospect, was Villanova’s lone All-American. Appalachian State, with defensive end Jabari Fletcher and safety Mark Legree, and Montana State, with offensive tackle Mike Person and kicker Jason Cunningham, also placed two players on the All-America team.

Pitt: Michael Haywood is known for his fiery speeches and CEO-like leadership skills. What he hasn’t proven yet is if he can coach title-contending teams at college football’s highest level. That didn’t prevent Pitt from hiring the former Miami (Ohio) coach to replace Dave Wannstedt, who won 26 games during his final three seasons at his alma mater, but didn’t win enough big ones to keep his job. Formerly the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Haywood took over Thursday after going 1-11 and 9-4 in two seasons at Miami. Miami’s only out-of-conference victory was against Colorado State, which went 3-9. Wannstedt had few signature wins, but a string of upset losses, while going 9-4, 10-3 and 7-5 in his final three seasons and 41-32 in six seasons.

West Virginia: Bill Stewart is being slowly forced out as West Virginia’s football coach because athletic director Oliver Luck believes the Mountaineers had become an also-ran instead of a national power. Luck held a news conference Thursday to address the hiring of Oklahoma State’s Dana Holgorsen as West Virginia’s head coach in-waiting, scheduled to replace Stewart prior to the 2012 season. Holgorsen will serve as the Mountaineers’ offensive coordinator next season.

Associated Press