Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines

Bushell-Beatty to skip Peach Bowl vs. Florida

ATLANTA

Michigan right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty has become the Wolverines’ fourth draft-eligible player to pull out of Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against No. 10 Florida.

Michigan spokesman Dave Ablauf confirmed to The Associated Press that Bushell-Beatty, a fifth-year senior, elected to miss the game.

Bushell-Beatty missed Michigan’s final regular-season game, a loss to Ohio State, with an undisclosed injury. He started the first 11 games of the season.

Oregon Ducks

QB Justin Herbert to return for senior year

EUGENE, Ore.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert says he’ll return for his senior season.

Herbert announced his decision Wednesday before the Ducks (8-4) left Eugene for the Redbox Bowl in Santa Clara, California. Oregon plays Michigan State on Monday.

Herbert has thrown for 2,985 yards this season with 28 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 173 yards and two TDs.

He has thrown at least one touchdown in 27 straight games, the longest current streak in the nation.

For his career at Oregon, Herbert has thrown for 6,904 yards and 62 touchdowns. The Ducks have averaged 39.4 points per game in his 27 career starts.

Next season he will be joined at Oregon by his brother, tight end Patrick Herbert, a four-star recruit from Eugene’s Sheldon High.

Oklahoma Sooners

QB Kyler Murray ill, misses media session

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has missed his scheduled media availability at the Orange Bowl on Wednesday because of what the team says is an illness.

Murray was able to go through practice with the Sooners on Tuesday, and the nature of his illness was not disclosed.

However, there doesn’t seem to be much concern about him missing time. Offensive coordinator Cale Gundy said he was unaware that Murray was ill until he got into the caravan that carried the Sooners from their hotel to the media session on Wednesday morning.

Murray completed 71 percent of his passes this season for 4,053 yards and 40 touchdowns. The fourth-ranked Sooners take on No. 1 Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup on Saturday night.

Buffalo Bulls

QB Tyree Jackson to explore transferring

BUFFALO, N.Y.

University at Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson has taken the first step in exploring the possibility of transferring to another school for his senior season.

Coach Lance Leipold says in a statement Wednesday that Jackson has placed his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Leipold says he and Jackson have had “good open talks” regarding the future, and adds the player is considering all options, including staying at Buffalo.

Being placed in the portal allows players to have contact with other schools. Jackson is a redshirt junior who already has graduated, which would allow him to transfer and immediately play next year.

Jackson was the Mid-American Conference offensive player of the year, helping Buffalo set a single-season record in victories and clinch its fourth bowl appearance. The Bulls finished 10-4 following a 42-32 loss to Troy in the Dollar General Bowl on Saturday.

Jackson finished with a career-high 3,131 yards passing for 28 touchdowns, one short of matching the school’s single-season record, and 12 interceptions this season. He also scored seven touchdowns rushing.

Overall, Jackson has completed 56 percent of his passes for 6,999 yards with 49 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in 32 career games.

Associated Press