No One Is Injured in Missouri Plane Mishap

Missouri’s trip to Nebraska got off to a rough start Friday night when a charter plane carrying the team to Lincoln, Neb., went off a runway in wet conditions at Columbia Regional Airport.

No one was injured.

“The pilot made a tight turn, and the left main gear slipped into the mud,” airport safety operator Robert Bias said. The plane was pulled out of the mud so passengers could reboard the Champion Air 727 later in the evening.

Chad Moller, a spokesman for the athletic department, said the plane had been getting into position on the runway and moving at a low speed. He said about 125 people in the travel party were on the plane and everyone was fine.

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Kansas officials say although they are close to a deal to move the Oct. 15, 2005 game against Oklahoma to Arrowhead Stadium, no agreement has been struck, the Kansas City Star reported. A citizens group opposing a measure on Tuesday’s ballot to fund improvements at the Truman Sports Complex said officials from the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs issued a release on the move of the game in an attempt to sway voters to approve the measure.

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The Miami Herald reported that Steve Spurrier told Florida officials he would be interested in returning to coach the Gators with conditions, one of which involved Florida’s contacting Oklahoma and asking for permission to talk to Sooner co-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley denied the conversation took place.

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South Carolina senior quarterback Dondrial Pinkins (partially torn rotator cuff) will start today when the Gamecocks play host to Tennessee.... Tulane and Louisville will play Dec. 4 in the Louisiana Superdome in a game that was postponed Sept. 18 because of the threat of Hurricane Ivan.