College football

Sandusky says he isn't guilty

Jerry Sandusky insisted through a lawyer Monday he is not guilty of sexually abusing children. The former Penn State assistant coach was found guilty last week of 45 counts for sexually abusing 10 boys over a span of 15 years.

The case rocked the Penn State community after Sandusky's arrest in November. The ensuing scandal led to the ousters of Sandusky's former boss — Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno — and the university's president.

Sandusky, 68, is under observation at the Centre County jail, where he is being kept away from other inmates pending a psychological review that will help determine the next step toward his sentencing in about three months.

"He's defiant and wants the truth to be told. He wants people to know that he's not guilty," said defense lawyer Karl Rominger, who visited his incarcerated client.

Judge John Cleland ordered county probation officers to evaluate whether Sandusky is a sexual predator, a finding that could factor into his prison placement.

Sandusky, who has been placed under a suicide watch, said he doesn't want to kill himself and wants to get the psychological examination done so he can receive visits from his friends and family, Rominger said.

Presidents to hear proposal

Bowl Championship Series commissioners will present their four-team playoff proposal to a 12-member presidential oversight committee Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The committee is headed by Virginia Tech's Charles W. Steger and includes one university leader from each of the 11 major conferences, as well as independent Notre Dame.

It is safe to say the men who have spent hours upon hours hashing this out over the last six months believe their bosses will approve of their work.

"I'm confident as we brief (the presidents) over the next week or so, give them an understanding of the evolution of the ideas — what's been put off to the side, why it's been put off to the side, how we were able to manage the things that seemed to be irreconcilable for a long time — that they will give our advice appropriate weight," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said after last week's meetings in Chicago.

Missouri, Citrus Bowl

plan stadium upgrades

Missouri has unveiled plans to upgrade athletic facilities as it moves to the Southeastern Conference.

A plan released by the school calls for adding at least 6,000 seats at Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 71,004.

Eight of the 14 SEC schools have stadiums with a capacity of at least 80,000.

Meanwhile, Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, Fla., and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs announced a plan that will finance a projected $175 million face-lift for the Florida Citrus Bowl, a 76-year-old stadium that hosts the Capital One Bowl and Russell Athletic Bowl games.

NFL

Source: Griffin was target

of alleged extortion

A former Baylor basketball player is facing a federal extortion charge for allegedly threatening to release "derogatory information" about Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III unless he was paid.

Richard Khamir Hurd, 25, was arraigned in federal court in Waco, Texas. His bond was set at $25,000.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press ex-Baylor standout Griffin was the target of the alleged extortion attempt. Washington Redskins quarterback Griffin, 22, was the second player taken in this year's draft.

Wilkerson is injured in crash

Defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, who suffered what were termed minor injuries in a two-car crash Saturday, is expected to be ready for the New York Jets' training camp next month. Wilkerson, 22, needed stitches in one of his forearms after the crash in Kenilworth, N.J.

Wilkerson was charged with careless driving and failure to maintain a lane, but state police said they don't believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

Steelers release QB Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers released quarterback Troy Smith, 27, who won the 2006 Heisman Trophy at Ohio State.

Elsewhere

• English golfer James Morrison, 27, earned his first trip to the British Open as the medalist among 10 players who qualified in a 36-hole event in Sunningdale, England.

The British Open starts July 19 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

• IndyCar Series officials announced they will not replace a canceled China race, leaving the season schedule at 15 events.

• Retired heavyweight boxer Andrew Golota, 44, could be deported from the United States to his native Poland. The Northbrook, Ill., resident's case is in court and his wife, Mariola Golota, told the Chicago Tribune a decision is expected in September.

Mariola Golota is an attorney and U.S. citizen.

• The head of the London Games organizing committee had his hands on the Olympic torch.

Sebastian Coe, perhaps the best-known face of the Games in England, ran a 300-meter leg of the torch route in his home city of Sheffield.

Coe, 55, earned two track-and-field Olympic gold medals in the 1,500 meters in the 1980s.

Seattle Times news services