Redd leaves Penn State for Trojans
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Star tailback Silas Redd is bolting Penn State for Southern California.
The 1,200-yard rusher opted Tuesday to leave a Nittany Lions program facing stiff sanctions handed down by the NCAA in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.
Among the penalties was a four-year postseason ban.
The NCAA gave Penn State players the option to transfer immediately and play for another school this year. Redd visited USC over the weekend and heard coach Lane Kiffin’s pitch to be a key cog for a Trojans team expected to be highly ranked and contend for the Pac-12 title.
Redd is the second player to leave Penn State since the sanctions were announced July 23.
• Montana QB faces rape charge: Prosecutors plan to charge University of Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson with raping an acquaintance in February after she invited him to her room to watch a movie.
Missoula County Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney Suzy Boylan filed documents in state court asking a judge to determine whether there is probable cause to proceed with a charge of sexual intercourse without consent against Johnson.
Johnson has previously denied the allegation. Attorney David Paoli released a statement that said Johnson and his family “are surprised and saddened” by the timing of the criminal charge, since the encounter took place in February and police have been aware of the allegation since the woman, another student, filed a report six weeks later.
University president Royce Engstrom told Missoula radio station KGVO that upon verification of the charge against Johnson, “our student conduct code would call for immediate suspension from team activities.”
It’s the latest turn in a sexual assault scandal at the university that has prompted three investigations by federal governmental agencies and the NCAA. The Department of Justice and Department of Education are investigating how the university and city officials responded to reports of sexual assault on campus and in Missoula.
A university investigation earlier this year found nine allegations of sexual assault that had gone unreported over 18 months, and two others have been made public since then.
• Notre Dame suspends pair: Notre Dame suspended quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese for the Sept. 1 season opener against Navy in Ireland, nearly two months after they were arrested following an off-campus party and charged with resisting arrest.
Bobcats basketball players arrested
College basketball: Montana State men’s basketball coach Brad Huse has suspended two players who were arrested over the weekend and charged with stealing from parked vehicles in Bozeman.
Huse did not confirm the arrests, but said junior forwards Jeff Budinich of Maple Valley, Wash., and Tre Johnson of Reno, Nev., will not participate in team-related activities after violating program rules over the weekend.
Budinich and Johnson have pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle and two counts of theft after a GPS unit was taken from one vehicle and a camera and backpack were taken from another early Sunday. Court records say the men acknowledged the thefts to the arresting officers.
Central Florida hit with NCAA penalties
COLLEGE: Central Florida will have to sit out the postseason for a year in men’s basketball and football under sanctions the NCAA handed down, adding to penalties the school self-imposed after major recruiting violations were uncovered last year in both programs.
The penalties added two years to UCF’s previously proposed three years’ probation. And they leave in place other sanctions: vacating basketball victories; a reduction in basketball scholarships; and, tighter limits on football recruiting visiting days.
All the punishments stem from a 2011 investigation that found the programs were involved with runners for sports agents and made cash payments to recruits.
Former ASU star, Art Malone, dies
Football: Former NFL and Arizona State running back Art Malone has died. He was 64.
Malone played seven seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the second round by Atlanta. He played five seasons with the Falcons and two with Philadelphia, rushing for 2,457 yards and 19 touchdowns, with 1,465 yards and six touchdowns on 161 receptions.
Malone played for the Sun Devils from 1967-69 and rushed for 2,649 yards, seventh most in school history.
Rush re-signs with Warriors
Miscellany: The Golden State Warriors re-signed forward Brandon Rush to an $8 million, two-year contract.
Rush, a restricted free agent, averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 26 minutes per game last season.
• Alfredsson will return: Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is returning for another season.
It will be the 17th NHL campaign for the 39-year-old Swede, who has spent his entire career in Ottawa.
• Churchill Downs getting facelift: Move over, Millionaire’s Row: Churchill Downs is preparing fancier digs to cater to the rich and famous at the Kentucky Derby.
Track officials announced $9 million in renovations, highlighted by a new ultra-exclusive section called The Mansion. Perched on the sixth floor of the clubhouse, the tony enclave will overlook the finish line and offer panoramic views, along with red carpet arrival, a private elevator, butler and concierge services, access to a private wine cellar and meals made to order.