SPORTS digest

Ex-OSU QB pleads not guilty to DUI

COLUMBUS

Former Ohio State quarterback and 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence and marijuana possession.

The 31-year-old Smith appeared in court Wednesday morning. He was stopped early Sunday in the Columbus suburb of Westerville when an officer noticed his SUV didn’t have a front license plate and was seen swerving. Smith failed a field sobriety test and later his blood alcohol content measured 0.143. Ohio’s legal limit is 0.08.

Smith faces charges of operating a vehicle under the influence, possession of marijuana and improper display of a license plate. The case was continued until April 20.

Valpo’s Bryce Drew Vanderbilt’s new coach

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Vanderbilt has lured Bryce Drew away from his alma mater at Valparaiso to coach the Commodores men’s basketball team.

The Commodores announced the hiring Wednesday with a series of tweets on their Twitter account starting with video of their mascot welcoming Drew at the airport. That was followed by a photo of Drew with athletic director David Williams and then a post asking fans to welcome their new coach.

Drew will be Vanderbilt’s 27th head coach. He was introduced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Drew, 41, just won a school-record 30 games in his fifth season as head coach at Valparaiso, which ended with a loss to George Washington in the NIT championship. Drew is 124-49 overall with two NCAA Tournament berths in his tenure along with four Horizon League regular season titles and two league tournament championships.

More sanctions for Louisville men’s team

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Louisville has announced additional self-imposed sanctions on its men’s basketball program in the wake of an escort’s allegations, reducing scholarships for the 2017-19 seasons and restricting official recruiting visits and recruiting opportunities for staff.

The school announced Feb. 5 a postseason ban for the Cardinals after its investigation into allegations a former staffer hired an escort and other dancers to entertain recruits and players determined that violations did occur.

A release on Wednesday stated Louisville will lose one scholarship in each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons with official visits reduced by one each in 2016-17 and ’17-18.

Suspended Florida QB transfers to WVU

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.

Suspended former Florida quarterback Will Grier is transferring to West Virginia.

Grier will sit out next season to fulfill NCAA transfer rules and be eligible to play in 2017. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Grier was suspended in October for one year by the NCAA for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He said the failed test was because of an over-the-counter supplement he used. He appealed, but the NCAA upheld the suspension. West Virginia spokesman Mike Montoro said it has yet to be determined if Grier’s suspension will carry over to 2017.

Grier played six games last season for the Gators as a redshirt freshman.

Long scores two goals in U.S. women’s rout

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.

Allie Long scored her first two international goals, and the United States routed Colombia 7-0 Wednesday night in the Americans’ first exhibition since five players filed a wage-discrimination action against the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Crystal Dunn, Mallory Pugh, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath and Christen Press also scored for the Americans, who are preparing for this summer’s Olympics, where they will try to win their fourth straight gold medal.

Hope Solo had her eighth shutout of the year, and the U.S. improved to 10-0 this year going into Sunday’s match against Colombia at Chester, Pa..

Associated Press