Quarterback Has Viral Meningitis

Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was diagnosed Sunday with viral meningitis -- a big relief for the No. 15 Yellow Jackets. But it’s not known if he’ll be able to play in a crucial game against Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Ball was being treated at Emory University Hospital, where he was expected to remain a second night before being released today. The school said the extra night was mainly a precaution.

“After I got the first two test results back and realized it wasn’t one of the more serious things it could have been, I was extremely relieved,” Coach Chan Gailey said.

Ball was hospitalized after complaining of severe headaches. Viral meningitis is not nearly as serious as bacterial meningitis.

The junior became ill during the week, got worse Friday night and was hospitalized the following morning, just hours before the Yellow Jackets defeated Connecticut, 28-13, to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2001.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Bennett started in Ball’s place.

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Clemson tight end Cole Downer had his spleen removed Saturday night, hours after he was injured catching a six-yard pass in the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ 36-30 triple-overtime loss to Miami.

The senior probably will sit out the rest of the season, the school said.

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First-year Florida Coach Urban Meyer’s first win over rival Tennessee was a costly one.

The Gators lost receiver Andre Caldwell, who broke his right leg against the Volunteers and was scheduled to have season-ending surgery Sunday, and defensive end Ray McDonald, the team’s top pass rusher, who damaged a knee ligament and could be out for the season.

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Oklahoma dropped out of the national rankings for the first time since 1999, Bob Stoops’ first season as coach of the Sooners.

The Sooners lost to UCLA, 41-24, at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.