COLLEGE FOOTBALL roundup

OHIO STATE

Price named Big Ten’s top offensive lineman

COLUMBUS

Billy Price, the four-year starting offensive lineman for Ohio State who converted to center this season after three seasons as a guard, was named today as the Big Ten Conference’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Price, a two-time first-team all-Big Ten Conference performer, has been the leader of an Ohio State line that features two other first-team performers — left tackle Jamarco Jones and left guard Michael Jordan — and a third team honoree in right tackle Isaiah Prince. This group has powered the Buckeyes to national rankings of No. 4 in total offense, No. 5 in scoring and No. 13 rushing. The team is No. 1 in the Big Ten in all those categories and No. 2 in passing.

Price is an Austintown Fitch High School graduate.

A first-team All-American in 2016 by the American Football Coaches Association, Price is a strong candidate for additional All-America honors this year after already having been selected a mid-season All-American by the Associated Press. He is one of the favorites for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top center, and he is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, which honors student-athletes with notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. He was also a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy.

The two-time team captain has set the Ohio State school record with 53 consecutive starts. He is the third consecutive Buckeye to win the Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year award, after Taylor Decker in 2015 and Pat Elflein last year.

Also Thursday, Ohio State’s Nick Bosa was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and quarterback J.T. Barrett was named the conference’s Quarterback of the Year for the third time.

FLORIDA STATE

Fisher could coach final game with Seminoles

TALLLAHASSEE, FLA.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher reiterated Thursday that he expects to be on the sideline Saturday for the regular-season finale against Louisiana-Monroe.

Many are anticipating it will be his final game with the Seminoles.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that they think Fisher will leave Florida State for Texas A&M and that the school has started the process of vetting potential candidates. They spoke on condition of anonymity because neither Texas A&M nor Florida State has publicly discussed details of the Aggies coaching search.

While Florida State was holding its final practice for Saturday’s game, Texas A&M’s Board of Regents was meeting to discuss the hiring of a new coach. Athletic director Scott Woodward and chancellor John Sharp were also in the meeting when the board went to executive session.

The Seminoles (5-6) need a win on Saturday to become bowl eligible for a 36th consecutive season.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Doeren agrees to new contract with Wolfpack

RALEIGH, N.C.

North Carolina State has announced that it has agreed to a new contract with football coach Dave Doeren.

A person familiar with the situation says the five-year deal came after Doeren talked with Tennessee officials about their coaching vacancy. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because neither Tennessee nor N.C. State had publicly discussed details of the Volunteers’ coaching search.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t immediately available and it is unclear if Doeren was formally offered the Tennessee job to replace fired coach Butch Jones.

N.C. State officials announced the new agreement with Doeren on Thursday, pending approval from the school’s Board of Trustees today.

Associated Press