Benson Won’t Start for Texasin Holiday Bowl

Tailback Cedric Benson practiced again Monday but won’t start for No. 9 Texas in the Holiday Bowl against No. 21 Washington on Friday night in San Diego.

Benson, a freshman who rushed for 1,053 yards this season, injured his shoulder-neck area in Texas’ loss to Colorado in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 1.

“He’s better than he was, and the injury is not something that will keep him out of spring practice or next fall,” Coach Mack Brown said. “But he’s still got some work to do with the doctors between now and Friday before he will play. That’ll be a decision the doctors will make with him. We won’t have anything to do with it, but we’re not planning on him starting.”

Benson and offensive tackle Mike Williams knocked each other out of the Colorado game in a collision while trying to make a tackle on Chris Simms’ last interception.

“If it was left up to me, I’d be out there,” Benson said.

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Miami Dolphin offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has met with Georgia Tech officials and is close to completing a deal to become the Yellow Jackets’ next coach, The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph reported.

The newspaper cited what it called sources close to Tech’s athletic department in the story in today’s editions.

Gailey is a native of Gainesville, Ga., and grew up in Americus. He did not return a phone message, but issued a statement through the Dolphins, the newspaper said.

“I’m not going to comment on any rumors that might be out there right now,” Gailey said. “Right now I’m just worried about the Falcons on Sunday.”

Gailey interviewed for the Georgia job last year after Jim Donnan was fired.

If Gailey and Tech officials can work out the particulars of the contract, believed to be worth about $1 million annually, Gailey could be announced as George O’Leary’s successor as early as Friday, the newspaper said.

Gailey was the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach in 1998 and ‘99, making the playoffs both years. He was fired despite an 18-14 record.

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Illinois wasted no time getting to town to begin preparing for its first Sugar Bowl.

The team arrived in New Orleans on Monday, after the seniors voted unanimously to get there early and spend the holiday together. Coach Ron Turner said players will have time to see the sights and visit the city’s legendary party spots before the game on Jan. 1.

“It gives them a chance to come down and explore and get to know the area a little bit and get some of that stuff out of their system early,” Turner said.

No. 7 Illinois (10-1) will practice today and Wednesday. No. 12 Louisiana State (9-3) will not arrive from Baton Rouge until Wednesday.

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd said the Illini players feel they’ve been overlooked in discussions about the top teams in the nation.

“We definitely feel we have something to prove in this game,” Lloyd said. “This is just another opportunity to show that we should be considered with the best teams in the nation.”

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Saint Francis of Pennsylvania hired former Penn State defensive lineman Dave Opfar as its coach.

Opfar replaces Dave Jaumotte, who resigned in November after consecutive winless seasons. Opfar was defensive coordinator at Washington and Jefferson College the past three seasons.

Opfar was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for Penn State and was a member of the 1982 Nittany Lion team that won the national championship. He went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.