Graziani Expected to Start for Oregon

Senior quarterback Tony Graziani, out since the second game because of a strained tendon in his right leg, will probably start Saturday when the struggling Oregon Ducks play at Stanford.

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Freshman Brock Huard will start at quarterback Saturday against No. 11 Notre Dame because Shane Fortney’s strained knee is troubling him, Coach Jim Lambright said.

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Akron, a Mid-American Conference school looking for exposure and money, will open its 1997 season against two-time defending national champion Nebraska.

Akron Athletic Director Mike Bobinski confirmed the teams would play Aug. 30 in Lincoln, Neb., in what would be the season opener for both. Akron, which will receive $450,000 for the game, is 1-5 this season.

“We believe that this does things program-wise that we couldn’t get done otherwise,” Bobinski said. “It’s a big deal to play Nebraska any week, but it’s good I think to open with them particularly.”