Two Illinois Players Face Jail Sentences

Two Illinois players will serve eight-day jail sentences when the season ends after pleading guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a brawl in a bar.

Linebacker Matt Sinclair, 22, who has a team-leading 59 tackles, and defensive tackle Ryan Matha, 21, who has 23 tackles, were accused of tackling and punching Jamaal L. Applewhite of Champaign, Ill., at a bar near campus last summer.

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Sophomore Troy Smith is expected to start at quarterback for Ohio State in place of injured Justin Zwick when the Buckeyes play host to Indiana on Saturday. The Buckeyes also cut off media access to underclassmen after comments by Smith and freshman lineman Kirk Barton were deemed detrimental to the team by members of the senior class. The seniors approached Coach Jim Tressel and he agreed.

Freshman Alex Brink was named Washington State’s starting quarterback after Josh Swogger’s season ended because of a broken bone in his right foot. The Cougars play Saturday at Oregon State.... Arizona Coach Mike Stoops said freshman Richard Kovalcheck would replace Kris Heavner as quarterback for Saturday’s game against California.

Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, the Southeastern Conference’s leader in total offense, has a groin injury that could keep him out of Saturday’s game against No. 10 Georgia. Freshman Robert Johnson would start if Jones is unable to play.... The Tulsa World and The Oklahoman reported that Nathan Peterson, Oklahoma State’s sack leader, would sit out the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

Brigham Young has suspended two freshmen players and disciplined two others for violating the school’s honor code after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, according to the Deseret Morning News.

Vandals -- apparently fans of rival Wyoming -- entered Colorado State’s Hughes Stadium this week and spray-painted “UW” on the field in letters 30 feet high and 75 feet wide. The teams play Friday night at Fort Collins, Colo.