Taliaferro Undergoes Spinal Fusion

Adam Taliaferro, a Penn State freshman cornerback injured while making a tackle in a loss to Ohio State, underwent spinal fusion surgery Monday in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State’s director of athletic medicine, said a metal pin and bone graft were inserted to stabilize Taliaferro’s spine at the neck.

Dr. Gary Rea performed the surgery at the Ohio State University Medical Center.

The 18-year-old Taliaferro is able to move his arms, shoulders and wrists but has not been able to move his fingers and legs since he was injured, Sebastianelli said.

Taliaferro was injured making a headfirst tackle on 231-pound running back Jerry Westbrooks during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game. Taliaferro’s head connected with Westbrooks’ knee, causing his neck to snap backward.

Taliaferro was expected to remain hospitalized for two to three more days before being transferred to a spinal rehabilitation center in the Philadelphia area, closer to his parents’ home in Voorhees, N.J.

His father traveled to Columbus on Saturday. He thanked both schools and the hospital for their support.

“This has been a trying time for our family but we feel that Adam is on the road to recovery,” Andre Taliaferro said in a statement.

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Big Ten officials said two game-turning fumble calls late in Michigan’s 35-31 victory over Illinois were mistakes, and Illini Coach Ron Turner called on the NCAA to use instant replay to review such plays.

Big Ten officiating coordinator David Parry said both disputed fumble rulings would have gone Illinois’ way instead of Michigan’s if an NFL-style instant replay system was in use Saturday.

Turner, a former assistant with the Chicago Bears, said colleges could copy the system used by the NFL in which coaches can request a replay but lose a timeout if the ruling stands.

Parry, also the national coordinator of officiating for the NCAA, called instant replay “highly, highly unlikely” because of the cost and logistics involved in equipping every stadium. Parry acknowledged the two fumbles in question from Saturday’s game would have been overturned after a review of tape.

With Illinois ahead, 31-28, officials ruled halfback Rocky Harvey fumbled when it appeared the ground jarred the ball loose. Harvey recovered, but it was taken from him in the pileup. On the ensuing Michigan drive, tailback Anthony Thomas dropped the ball near the goal line but officials ruled him down. The replay showed otherwise, but the Wolverines kept the ball. Thomas scored on a three-yard run on the next play, putting Illinois behind by four points with 2:30 left.

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Arkansas tailback Cedric Cobbs is likely out for the season because of a separated shoulder suffered Saturday against Alabama. The Razorbacks will also be without backup tailback Fred Talley and backup receiver George Wilson when they play host to Georgia Saturday. Talley will miss at least three games because of a broken hand. Wilson will undergo surgery Wednesday for a dislocated shoulder and is out for the season. Because of the injuries, Alvin Ray is listed as the No. 1 tailback. He was No. 3 last week. . . . South Carolina is waiting to see if quarterback Phil Petty’s sprained ankle and bruised shoulder respond to treatment before making a decision on his status for Saturday’s game at Alabama. Petty did not practice Monday. If he can’t play, Erik Kimrey, the hero of last week’s victory against Mississippi State, could get the call. . . . Notre Dame Coach Bob Davie said he is considering starting freshman Matt LoVecchio at quarterback Oct. 7 against Stanford. . . . Alabama Coach Mike DuBose is angry over two questionable calls against the Crimson Tide in their loss to Arkansas and plans to send a tape to the Southeastern Conference office. “I’m as mad as I’ve ever been since I’ve been in the coaching profession,” he said.