Little issues apology to UNC
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina receiver Greg Little apologized Tuesday for his actions that led to the NCAA declaring him "permanently ineligible" amid an investigation into agent-related benefits. Little released a statement through the school Tuesday, apologizing to teammates, coaches, alumni and fans for "letting them down" and said he was "terribly remorseful." "My situation should not take away from any of the team's current accomplishments or future accomplishments," Little said. "Now that I am no longer a part of the program, I hope my actions will not distract the team any longer."
On Monday, the NCAA said Little and defensive end Robert Quinn each received gifts and travel accommodations, then lied about it in three separate interviews. The ruling came the same day the school kicked defensive tackle Marvin Austin off the team for similar reasons. The NCAA probe launched over the summer and focused initially on whether Little and Austin received improper benefits, though it later expanded to include possible academic violations involving a tutor. TV, kickoff times set for Oct. 23 Tech, UVa games The ACC announced that Virginia Tech's Oct. 23 home game with Duke will kick off at noon. It will air on WDBJ. Virginia's home game with Eastern Michigan that day will be at 6 p.m. It can be seen on ESPN3.com. Ex-agent tells SI he paid college players NEW YORK -- A former sports agent tells Sports Illustrated he paid college football players and several of them confirm it to the magazine. Josh Luchs says in the Oct. 18 edition he paid more than 30 players from 1990-96, including many who didn't sign with him. He says quarterback Ryan Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft who flopped in the pros, took more than $10,000, most of which he paid back after signing with another agent. Leaf declined to comment. Luchs also says he paid first-round picks Jamir Miller and Chris Mims. Miller declined comment. Mims died in 2008. Luchs was suspended for a year by the NFL Players Association in 2007 over the handling of a commission check. He says he's telling his story because "I don't want my career to be defined by that suspension." Irish TE to have surgery SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph will not play again this season because he needs hamstring surgery. The school disclosed the extent of Rudolph's injury Tuesday. He has 28 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns, and is considered one of the top tight ends in the country. Penn State loses another player to injury STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State safety Nick Sukay is out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle in the latest setback for a struggling team hit by a spate of injuries. Coach Joe Paterno said Tuesday that Sukay's season was done after the junior got hurt during a tackle on Illinois' Jack Ramsey on the opening kickoff of last week's 33-13 loss to the Illini. Sukay had a team-high three interceptions. Georgia TB suspended ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia tailback Caleb King has been suspended two games by coach Mark Richt following King's arrest this week. King will miss Saturday's game against Vanderbilt and the game against Kentucky on Oct. 23. -- Staff, wire reports