OSU forward Kecman tears ACL in workout

July 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio

Ohio State forward Nikola Kecman underwent surgery for a torn knee ligament last week and is out indefinitely, a team official has confirmed.

Kecman, a 6-foot-8 forward, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a spring workout. It is the same knee he injured five years ago in his native Serbia. He was hindered last season after identical surgery on his left knee, which was injured during his Ohio State debut in January 2009.

A transfer from Eastern Arizona, he played sparingly in 15 games last season for Ohio State, averaging 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds a game.

NCAA givesArkansas St. allegation inquiry

JONESBORO, Ark.

Arkansas State has received an official notice of inquiry from the NCAA concerning potential violations.

The school self-imposed a $43,500 fine last year after admitting “inadvertent mistakes” that led to improperly certified credits for athletes who transferred in.

The university said in a statement Monday it had received the formal inquiry concerning “potential violations involving ineligible competition of student-athletes due to failure to meet percentage of degree requirements and a potential academic fraud violation.”

NHRA driver Niver, 60, in fatal crash after race

SEATTLE

The King County Medical Examiner says an NHRA driver who crashed after crossing the finish line died of severe injuries to his head, neck and torso.

Mark Niver, 60, of Phoenix, died Sunday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals. The parachutes on his car ripped away after they were deployed, and Niver couldn’t stop his dragster before it slammed into the protective netting at the end of the runway.

According to the medical examiner’s report Monday, Niver suffered severe injuries to his spinal cord, aorta, esophagus, trachea and ribs. His death was ruled an accident.

Green BayPackers sign rookie tight end to deal

The Green Bay Packers have signed tight end Andrew Quarless, a fifth-round pick in the NFL draft.

Quarless started 29 games at Penn State. He finished his career as the Nittany Lions’ all-time leader in receptions by a tight end (87) and second in receiving yards by a tight end (1,146).

Raiders sign rookie CB McFadden to contract

ALAMEDA, Calif.

The Raiders announced the deal with its fifth-round pick on Monday. McFadden is the third of Oakland’s nine draft picks to sign a contract.

McFadden was a second-team all-SEC pick last season at Auburn with six interceptions. He had two interceptions in the Outback Bowl against Northwestern, returning one of them 100 yards for a touchdown.

Canucks sign O’Brian and re-sign forwards

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed defenseman Shane O’Brien to a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

The Canucks also re-signed fourth-line forwards Tanner Glass and Alexandre Bolduc on Monday.

Former USC coach says observation is tough

NEW YORK

Pete Carroll says it has been difficult to watch from afar as Southern California deals with NCAA sanctions from violations committed when he was leading the Trojans.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the new Seattle Seahawks coach, says “I do feel responsible being connected with” USC’s troubles. But he also says he feels a responsibility “to work to try to get the message out there and defend” the Trojans.

Carroll left USC for Seattle after last season. Last month, USC football received a two-year postseason ban and other penalties from the NCAA for violations involving former star Reggie Bush.

Vindicator staff/wire reports