Oregon’s Lewis Figures to Sit Out

An ankle sprain probably will keep Oregon’s leading tackler, free safety Keith Lewis, from playing in Saturday’s game between Stanford and the Ducks.

“I would say it’s doubtful,” said Coach Mike Bellotti.

Lewis suffered the ankle injury when he was pursuing California quarterback Kyle Boller during Saturday’s 48-7 win over the Golden Bears. Boller was knocked to the ground and one of Cal’s linemen hit Oregon linebacker David Moretti from the back and “those two rolled over Keith’s ankle,” Bellotti said.

An X-ray showed no broken bones in the ankle, leg or foot, Bellotti said, “but there is swelling in the right ankle and foot.”

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Luke Staley, the leading rusher for No. 18 Brigham Young, was not ineligible for last weekend’s win over New Mexico and will play Saturday against Air Force.

Staley sat out Saturday’s 24-20 win after BYU officials had raised questions about his academic eligibility. But “he was never declared ineligible,” school spokesman Jeff Reynolds said.

Staley’s eligibility or possible sanctions against BYU for playing him never were subject to official NCAA scrutiny, nor are any previous games in jeopardy of forfeiture, Reynolds said.

Such speculations arose after Staley didn’t play Saturday and Coach Gary Crowton later spoke to the media about the potential for NCAA rules infractions.

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Sophomore quarterback Jason White will start Saturday when No. 2 Oklahoma plays host to Baylor, Coach Bob Stoops said.

Junior Nate Hybl had started all six games for the undefeated Sooners, but has failed to finish the last two. He was knocked out of the Texas game on Oct. 6 with an injury to his left shoulder, then was removed from the Kansas game last Saturday after a lackluster performance.

In both cases, White played well in Hybl’s place.

“Jason has earned the opportunity to be the starter,” Stoops said.

Hawaii Coach June Jones said quarterback Timmy Chang will start Saturday against Tulsa despite the recent play of backup Nick Rolovich, who has led the Warriors to consecutive victories.

“I’m 100% sure [Chang] will start,” Jones said.

Chang suffered a sprained throwing wrist on Sept. 29 against Rice and has not taken a game time snap since.

Rolovich, filling in for Chang for the second consecutive week, completed 17 of 35 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-7 victory over Texas-El Paso on Saturday night.

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Fresno State nose tackle Jason Stewart, who sustained a concussion during the No. 8 Bulldogs’ victory at Colorado State, won’t play in Friday’s game against Boise State.

Stewart has returned to Fresno and is “in good health,” the school said in a statement. He will be re-evaluated next week.

Stewart was injured in the third quarter of Saturday’s game when he fell awkwardly and hit his head on the ground while trying to chase down quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt on a 53-yard touchdown run.