Notre Dame, BCS Differ on Record

Notre Dame’s 4-0 start has been one of the season’s biggest surprises. It would be a real shock to the Fighting Irish faithful to learn their team is 3-0.

At least that’s the record as far as the Bowl Championship Series is concerned because under its guidelines, teams must win at least nine “nonexempt” games to be BCS eligible.

Notre Dame opened the season Oct. 31 with a victory over Maryland in the Kickoff Classic, which is normally considered an “exempt” game. But Notre Dame contends it should not be considered an exempt game because it was played the same weekend most teams started the season--not a week ahead like most years.

“Our understanding was it didn’t qualify as an exempt game because it was moved off that earlier weekend,” Associate Athletic Director John Heisler said.

The game was originally scheduled for Aug. 24, but was moved because it conflicted with freshman orientation at Notre Dame. So by the time the Kickoff Classic kicked off, most teams already had begun their seasons.

Regardless, the BCS considers the game to be exempt. If Notre Dame wanted to appeal that, they would have to go before the commissioners of the BCS.

Heisler said the reason games like the Kickoff Classic are usually exempt is because the BCS doesn’t want certain teams to have an advantage over others. Because all teams can play 12 games this season, Notre Dame has no such advantage, he said.

Notre Dame hasn’t decided whether it will appeal to the BCS. Asked if the Irish would consider adding another game to make up for it, Heisler said the school wasn’t considering such a move at the moment.

“Let’s see where we go with it,” he said. “We’ll get it addressed here pretty quickly.”

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Starting quarterback Jason Gesser and backup Matt Kegel are questionable for 16th-ranked Washington State’s Pacific 10 Conference opener at California and the Cougars may have to start freshman Chris Hurd.

Gesser is recovering from a dislocated rib on his right side and Kegel has a bruised left knee.

Hurd, a freshman from Antioch, Calif., completed five of six passes for 44 yards in Saturday’s victory over Montana State.

Trainer Bill Drake called Gesser’s availability “questionable at best,” but Coach Mike Price called Gesser “questionable or probable” and said Gesser and Kegel would likely play.

If Gesser is able to play, he will wear a protective flak jacket like he did last season after suffering a left side rib injury against Oregon State.

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Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett should be back in No. 6 Ohio State’s lineup Saturday for its Big Ten opener against Indiana. Clarett had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week and missed the Buckeyes’ victory against Cincinnati.... Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers, who bruised his ribs in the Spartans’ loss to Notre Dame, said he expects to play Saturday against Northwestern. Rogers has caught a touchdown pass in 12 consecutive games, tying an NCAA record, and has eight consecutive games of 100 or more receiving yards.... Mississippi State running back Dontae Walker has a sprained shoulder and is doubtful for Saturday’s game at No. 22 Louisiana State. Fred Reid would start if Walker can’t play.

Iowa running back Fred Russell is expected to play against No. 12 Penn State after sitting out last week’s victory against Utah State because of a bruised left shoulder.... Tailback Roger Robinson, Utah State’s leading rusher, has left the team, according to Coach Mick Dennehy. The sophomore from Apple Valley, Calif., also led the Aggies in punt return average, kickoff return average and all-purpose yardage.... Air Force will be without inside linebacker Matt McCraney on Saturday against Utah. He injured his right knee in the victory against California.

The San Antonio Express-News reported that Texas A&M; Coach R.C. Slocum has stripped play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Dino Babers and given them to receivers coach Kevin Sumlin. The Aggies finished No. 106 out of 117 teams last season in offense and were ranked 106 this week.... Hawaii Coach June Jones said that quarterback Jason Whieldon, who attended Orange Lutheran High and Saddleback College, has returned to the program. Whieldon dropped out of school and left the team earlier this month because of family problems. Whieldon had been the backup to starter Timmy Chang.