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News Nuggets, 09.17.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Fed judge labels NCAA monopolistic, okays trial

SEATTLE — A federal judge has cleared for trial a lawsuit challenging NCAA scholarship limits filed on behalf of walk-on football players who are shut out of financial benefits.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour ruled that the lawsuit filed on behalf of a former Division I-A player should go to trial, rejecting an NCAA motion to dismiss the case. The association argued that as a noncommercial operation, it is not subject to antitrust laws.

Coughenour found in a ruling made Wednesday that the plaintiffs had made a case that the NCAA has monopoly power over college football, and that they should have the opportunity to demonstrate that this monopoly caused antitrust injury, in a ruling made Wednesday.

NCAA officials in Indianapolis did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

The complaint filed by Andy Carroll, a University of Washington player who lettered from 1997-99, contends the NCAA scholarship limits exploit walk-on players who make up nearly a third of Division I-A college football rosters.

``The NCAA's artificial limit on the number of football scholarships is classic cartel behavior,'' the lawsuit says. ``The NCAA and its member institutions control big-time college football. The NCAA uses that control to maximize revenues and minimize costs.''

The lawsuit seeks an end to the NCAA limit on Division I-A scholarships, plus damages for football walk-ons who were harmed by the policy.

Until 1977, schools were allowed to offer as many scholarships as they saw fit, a rule that resulted in routine stockpiling of top players by top schools. The number of scholarships was set at 95 from 1977-91; at 92 in 1992; and 88 in 1993. It has been at 85 since 1994.

The complaint says this reduces expenses and maximize profitability at the expense of student athletes and in violation of antitrust laws. It says the limit affects poorer students, who may not be able to attend a Division I-A school without scholarships available for walk-ons.

Proponents say the scholarship reductions have made it easier for smaller colleges to compete against traditional heavyweights, and for all colleges to comply with federal Title IX gender-equity rules that require the same number of scholarships for men and women.

Carroll earned a position on the Washington team for the 1996-2000 seasons, playing wide receiver and a special teams before graduating in 2000. Though many smaller schools recruited him, Carroll chose the University of Washington because of its Division I-A status.

``When I began my football career at UW, I was also led to believe that if I played hard and played during the regular season in games, I had a shot at a scholarship,'' he said when the lawsuit was filed in May. ``After my junior year when I had been playing in games I asked about a scholarship and I was told none were available due to the scholarship restrictions.''

Carroll confirms that there were no promises.

``But there is the indication that if you get on the field and produce for the program, you have the potential to earn a scholarship. You feel you've earned it and when you go to ask for it, you're told they don't have it.''

UTEP wins double OT thriller in C-USA debut

EL PASO — Reagan Schneider kicked a school-record five field goals, including a 42-yarder in double overtime, then Quintin Demps intercepted a pass near the goal line that made it hold up, giving Texas-El Paso a 44-41 victory over Houston on Friday night.

The first-ever Conference USA game for UTEP (2-0, 1-0) started out real ugly, but proved to be very exciting.

Jordan Palmer threw two first-half interceptions and so many more off-target passes that he was booed early in the third quarter — then he led the Miners on six straight scoring drives, turning a 19-5 deficit into a 34-26 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

The Cougars (1-2, 0-1) responded with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion that tied it. Schneider had a chance to win in it in regulation, but missed a 27-yarder with 2.9 seconds left. He had been 4-of-4, hitting from 42, 21, 32 and 25 yards.

After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Palmer opened the next go-round with three straight incompletions. Schneider followed with a kick that would have been good from another 10 yards back.

Houston's last chance ended with Demps picking off a pass from Kevin Kolb around the 2-yard line, with no receiver close by. It was the fifth interception of the game by Kolb, who only threw six in each of his first two seasons. He balanced his career-worst pickoffs with a career-best five TD passes.

When Demps snagged his second interception of the game, he returned it about 20 yards before realizing that he needed to go out of bounds to secure the win. He crossed the line by the Houston bench, then the Miners came pouring onto the field, assistant coaches slapping hands as gleefully as the players.

A crowd of 45,558 — evidence of how coach Mike Price has stoked this border town's love of the Miners — broke out in its biggest cheer of the night. It was a fitting end, too, for the first-ever nationally televised UTEP home game.

Palmer was 26-of-51 for 379 yards with two interceptions and three touchdowns, all to Johnnie Lee Higgins, covering 15, 24 and 31 yards. They came in a six-drive span that included three of Schneider's field goals. Had UTEP lost, the Miners certainly would have rued settling for short kicks after having first-and-goal from the 5-, 3- and 9-yard lines.

Palmer has thrown for at least two touchdowns in each of his last nine games. He's had at least 300 yards passing in four of his last five games.

Higgins had 156 yards on six catches. Tyler Ebell, a UCLA transfer, ran for 149 yards on 24 carries and scored UTEP's overtime touchdown. He also lost two first-half fumbles.

Kolb was 32-of-50 for 331 yards. His TDs went to Donnie Avery covering 16 and 62 yards in the second quarter, Anthony Alridge for 53 yards in the third, Vincent Marshall for 8 in the fourth and Jeron Harvey for 14 in OT.

Ryan Gilbert and Anthony Evans each ran for 92 yards for the Cougars.

In the topsy-turvy first half, the teams combed for eight turnovers and 17 penalties. Houston's punter fumbled a snap out of the end zone for a safety, prompting Cougars coach Art Briles to go for a QB quick kick on their next fourth down. Things were so out of whack the first two quarters that there were scores of 5-0, 5-3 and 9-5.

Conference USA schedule, standings, scores

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:27 PM