Ursuline QB changes choice to Virginia Tech

December 17, 2013 at 12:07a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Ursuline quarterback Chris Durkin has verbally committed to Virginia Tech, changing his choice of schools from Michigan State, according to media reports on Monday.

Durkin verbally committed in April to play football at Michigan State. According to reports, Durkin cited possible immediate playing time as a reason for the switch.

Durkin threw and rushed for more than 500 yards in the 2013 season for the Irish.

Jackson-Milton Hall of Fame induction set

NORTH JACKSON

Jackson-Milton High School will induct 16 into its athletic hall of fame during ceremonies on Jan. 7. The induction dinner and ceremony will be at Fifth Season Banquet Hall, 1400 N. Canfield-Niles Road, Youngstown, and the honorees also will be introduced at the varsity boys basketball game that evening.

Those entering the Hall of Fame are Bruce Alltop, Lisa Clegg Spaulding, Jake Corbett, Jeremy Gondol, Bill Harley, Bill Jeffries, Pat Keney, Clyde Lay, Mick Milo, Dr. Jay Osborne, Jim Pepperney, Jack Pico, Hope Rager, Tom Rayburn, Lori Sickle Cole and Rick Whiteleather.

The induction dinner will be at 4 p.m. with a social hour at 3:30.

Magazine chooses Manning for top award

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

Peyton Manning says he’s not sure he’s deserving of the 2013 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year honor but is glad to be in such elite company that includes the likes of former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. The Broncos quarterback was recognized at a banquet at Sports Authority Field on Monday night.

Manning has led Denver to an 11-3 record this season, his second with the Broncos after missing the 2011 season with Indianapolis because of neck troubles that affected his right triceps. He has thrown 47 touchdown passes, three shy of Tom Brady’s NFL season record, with two games remaining.

Florida Atlantic hires Arkansas assistant

BOCA RATON, Fla.

Arkansas assistant head coach and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge was hired Monday as head coach at Florida Atlantic. A native of nearby Plantation, Fla., Partridge has worked under head coach Bret Bielema the past six years, including five seasons at Wisconsin and the past season at Arkansas. He helped the Badgers reach the Rose Bowl three times.

Partridge also coached at Pittsburgh, Eastern Illinois, Iowa State and Drake, where he played and graduated in 1995. He was regarded as a top recruiter of South Florida players while at Arkansas and Wisconsin.

Cardinal Mooney graduate Carl Pelini resigned as coach Oct. 30 after FAU said he and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis acknowledged using illegal drugs. Rekstis, a former Youngstown State assistant, also resigned. Pelini later denied using illegal drugs, but the school withdrew his resignation and fired him. He went 5-15 as coach.

Arizona, Tampa get 2016, 2017 title games

Arizona will host the College Football Playoff championship in 2016 and Tampa, Fla., will be the site of the 2017 title game. The conference commissioners who oversee the playoffs announced Monday their choices for the sites of the second and third championship games in the new postseason system that goes into effect next season.

The first championship game will played Jan. 12, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The second title game is scheduled to be played Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz., at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Fiesta Bowl and the NFL’s Cardinals. Reporting prep results

The Vindicator encourages coaches and statisticians to report prep results by email (sports@vindy.com) or fax (330-747-6712). Phone calls (330-747-1478) are also acceptable but emails and faxes are strongly preferred. Deadline is 10:30 p.m.

Staff reports/Associated Press