Quick kicks

Gator’s career ends

Florida All-SEC defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said Saturday night his decision to skip a drug-education class and go to his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., was the reason Gators coach Urban Meyer kicked him off the team.

Thomas had agreed to attend classes after failing two drug tests and being suspended for three games. He was also not supposed to leave Gainesville.

Meyer said after Florida’s 25-19 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday that the senior’s college career is over.

Schembechler returns

Former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler said he believed he might be on the verge of death when he felt ill while taping a television show and was taken to the hospital.

The 77-year-old Schembechler was released from a hospital Oct. 24, one day after a device to help regulate his heartbeat was implanted in his chest.

On Friday, he was back in Southfield to tape the latest edition of the show that previews Michigan and Michigan State football games.

Schembechler was hospitalized after he felt ill Oct. 20 at the taping of “Big Ten Ticket.”

Streaking

Dan Ennis kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to lift Maryland to a 13-12 win over No. 19 Clemson, the Terps’ fourth straight win … Ohio won its fifth straight with a 16-10 victory over Eastern Michigan … St. Francis, top-ranked in the NAIA, won its 50th consecutive regular-season game with a 21-7 victory over Walsh.

Excessive celebration

Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt suspended tight end Darrell Strong indefinitely after a touchdown celebration in which he appeared to make an obscene gesture to the crowd during a 22-12 loss to South Florida in Tampa, Fla.

Strong was penalized when he approached the stands beyond the end zone after catching a 19-yard TD pass from Tyler Palko in the fourth quarter.