college football News & notes

Southern Cal: Freshman quarterback Ricky Town says he is transferring just one week into his first fall camp. USC coach Steve Sarkisian announced Town’s decision Sunday night. Town was a touted recruit from Ventura County who graduated from high school early to participate in spring practice with the Trojans. He was a centerpiece in their most recent recruiting class, widely considered the nation’s best. But Town faced stiff competition for playing time at USC. Senior Cody Kessler is heading into his third year as a starter this fall, while sophomore backup Max Browne and fellow freshman Sam Darnold also are elite prospects. By transferring now, Town can immediately redshirt this season, making him eligible to play in 2016. Town verbally committed to Alabama two years ago, but changed his mind.

Arkansas: Coach Bret Bielema says running back Jonathan Williams will miss the regular season with the left foot injury he suffered during a scrimmage on Saturday. Williams’ injury was announced on Sunday, with Bielema saying the senior would miss “an extended period of time.”The coach now says the senior could possibly play in a bowl game this season, but he won’t play during the regular season after having surgery to have a screw put in his foot. Williams is the 10th leading rusher in school history with 2,321 yards on the ground, including 1,190 last season when he led to the Razorbacks to a 7-6 record and Texas Bowl win over Texas.

Colorado State: Coach Mike Bobo has selected redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens as his starting quarterback. Stevens succeeds Garrett Grayson, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round. Stevens of Murrieta, California, backed up Grayson last season. In mop-up duty, he completed 15 of 25 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, a 36-yard pass to Rashard Higgins against Tulsa. Stevens beat out redshirt freshman Coleman Key, who will serve as Stevens’ backup. Bobo, a longtime Georgia assistant in his first year as a head coach in Fort Collins, said Stevens won the job because he was more consistent than Key.

Kentucky: Coach Mark Stoops has announced that former Ohio State offensive lineman Marcelys Jones has been dismissed from the program for violating unspecified team rules. Stoops announced Jones’ dismissal on Monday, saying, “He will no longer be with us.” The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Cleveland, Ohio, native transferred to Kentucky earlier this summer from Ohio State after playing against Kent State and Illinois last season with the Buckeyes, who went on to win the national championship. Jones would have had to sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules but would have been eligible next season and was expected to compete for a starting spot with the Wildcats.

Oklahoma: Running back Joe Mixon is ready to make up for lost time. As a high school senior, he was listed as the nation’s top running back by both Rivals.com and 247sports.com. But last July, he punched a woman in the face at a restaurant and was suspended for the entire season. He’s back, and now that his teammates and coaches have had a chance to see him, the buzz is back, too — but for more than just his talent. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley says Mixon has emerged as a leader, despite being just a redshirt freshman. Of course, his ability stands out, too. He’s a 6-foot-2, 217-pound athletic freak with breakaway speed and wide receiver-quality hands. He’ll make his college debut Sept. 5, at home against Akron.

Associated Press