College football notebook: California's Jahvid Best injured; Purdue coach blames Michigan's Rich Rodriguez

By The Associated Press Comments 0
Published: November 8, 2009

Purdue coach blames Rodriguez

Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez says Purdue coach Danny Hope blamed him for getting one of his players suspended.

California’s Jahvid Best, top, leaps over Oregon State’s Cameron Collins to score during the first half. Best was removed from the game on a gurney. AP Photo

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Rodriguez says Hope introduced him to guard Zach Reckman after the Boilermakers’ 38-36 win Saturday and said, "Thanks, Coach, we appreciate what you did.”

Reckman was suspended for a game because of a late hit against Northern Illinois in September. Rodriguez said on the same day he would ask the Big Ten to punish non-football acts after seeing a Big Ten player hit an opponent with a forearm on TV. Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton was suspended for punching a Notre Dame player the previous week.

Hope issued a statement through school spokesman Tom Schott, saying his conversation with Rodriguez would remain between them.

California’s Best injured

California tailback Jahvid Best sustained a concussion and was taken to the emergency room after he leapt high into the air, flipped over a defender and landed on the back of his head in the end zone.

Best briefly lost consciousness following the terrifying fall from at least 5 feet, coach Jeff Tedford said after No. 23 Cal’s 31-14 loss to Oregon State.

Tedford said initial tests had come back normal.

Best had movement in all of his extremities, Cal spokesman Herb Benenson said. Benenson also said that a preliminary evaluation showed Best sustained a concussion, but more tests were being done.

Fourth-and-inches

No. 14 Pittsburgh beat Syracuse 37-10 and is 8-1 for the first time since Dan Marino’s senior season 27 years ago. The Panthers are gearing up for a stretch run against No. 19 Notre Dame, at rival West Virginia and against No. 4 Cincinnati. … What got into Illinois? The Fighting Illini did not score more than 17 points in their first five Big Ten games, all losses. They’ve put up 38 and 35 in wins the last two weeks.

By The Associated Press