Oregon Freshman Is Shot and Killed

Oregon freshman Terrance Kelly was shot to death two days before he was set to leave for school in Eugene.

The 18-year-old linebacker from De La Salle High in Concord, Calif., was shot in the driver’s seat of his car while waiting outside a home for a family member Thursday night.

Kelly was found lying in the street next to his car, shot in the chest, Richmond Police Sgt. Enos Johnson said Friday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson said police were investigating and had not yet identified a motive or any suspects.

Kelly, one of Oregon’s top recruits, was a standout at De La Salle, which has a 151-game winning streak. He was going to leave today for Eugene, where news of his death hit hard.

He was one of four De La Salle players recruited by the Ducks, and was considered one of the best high school defensive players in the nation.

“It’s so senseless and tragic. It’s hard to explain,” said Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti. “Certainly it’s very difficult to begin the season with this type of thing.

“But the most important people are Terrance’s family and friends. Our prayers go to them.”

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USC’s Ricky Bell, Notre Dame’s Joe Theismann, Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders, Pittsburgh’s Jimbo Covert, Alabama’s Billy Neighbors and Darrell Green, who played at Texas A&I;, now known as Texas A&M-Kingsville;, are among 21 players and coaches who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame today in South Bend, Ind.

Hayden Fry, who coached at Southern Methodist (1962-72), North Texas State (1973-78) and Iowa (1979-1998), and Doug Dickey, who coached at Tennessee (1964-69) and Florida (1970-78), are two of the coaches.

The inductees will take part in a youth football clinic and a flag football game before attending the enshrinement dinner.

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Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks because of a left knee injury.

Cromartie, a sophomore who has been competing for a starting spot, is to undergo knee surgery Tuesday.

He was carted off the field Tuesday after he landed awkwardly during a drill.

Cromartie attended Friday’s practice without the aid of crutches and did not wear a brace, but said the knee was sore. While the diagnosis is better than first anticipated, he doesn’t know if he’ll be cleared in time to play in the Sept. 6 opener at Miami.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

*--* Class of 2004

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Coaches being enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame today:

*--* TOM BECK

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Illinois Benedictine, 1970-74;

Elmhurst, 1976-83;

Grand Valley State, 1985-90

Posted a 137-52-1 career record. After Benedictine had 18 straight losing seasons, he led the Eagles to a 37-21-1 record. After Elmhurst had only two winning seasons in 23 years, he led the Bluejays to a 50-22 record and two conference titles. Took over an 0-10 Grand Valley State team, led it to a 50-18 record and two conference titles.

*--* DOUG DICKEY

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Tennessee, 1964-69; Florida, 1970-78

Career record of 104-58-6, a .637 winning percentage. Tennessee was eight years removed from its last eight-win season when Dickey arrived. After a 4-5-1 start, he led the Vols to five straight seasons of eight wins or more. Led the Vols to two SEC championships. Posted a 58-43-2 record at Florida, leading the Gators to four bowl appearances.

*--* HAYDEN FRY

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Southern Methodist, 1962-72;

North Texas State, 1973-78;

Iowa, 1979-1998

A career record of 232-178-10, retiring 10th on the all-time list for wins. In 1966, he led the Mustangs to their first Southwest Conference title in 18 years. Was 143-89-6 in 20 seasons at Iowa, guiding the Hawkeyes to 14 bowl appearances, including three Rose Bowls.

*--* CHARLIE RICHARD

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Baker, 1980-90, 1992-94

Coaching record of 123-28-1, an .813 winning percentage. In 14 seasons, he guided the Wildcats to at least a share of 11 conference titles and 10 playoff appearances. Baker’s teams were ranked in the NAIA Top 25 poll for 128 consecutive weeks at the end of the 1994 season. Died of a heart attack in 1994.

*--* DICK STRAHM

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Findlay, 1975-98

He had a record of 183-46-5 with 22 winning seasons at Findlay. Led Findlay to four NAIA national championships. He was a four-time NAIA coach of the year.