Kill returns to work, won't talk about health: Minnesota's Jerry Kill has worked hard to embrace his epilepsy, becoming an outspoken advocate for research of the condition that can include seizures without a moment's notice.
Now that the season is in full swing, Kill is trying to keep the focus on his team - even after another seizure caused him to miss the second half of a 29-12 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday. Kill declined to speak directly about his health at his weekly press conference on Tuesday, trying to turn the page and get his team prepared for San Jose State this weekend.
"I've done talked about all those other things enough," Kill said. "This game's not about a head football coach. This game is about the players and that's how we'll approach it today."
Kill suffered his fourth game-day seizure in three seasons during halftime of the game against Western Illinois. It was the third time he hasn't been able to finish a game because of it.
Kill is on record saying he believes it is unacceptable to consistently miss portions of game due to seizures. He's said, most recently with the Star Tribune in August, that he would walk away if he ever came to the conclusion that the stresses of the job and the physical toll it was taking was too much for him to bear.
Scarlet Knights mull QB situation as Arkansas awaits: It wasn't long ago that Chas Dodd was in a tight competition for Rutgers' starting quarterback position, ultimately being relegated to backup duties behind Gary Nova shortly before last season.
Now, with growing concern about Nova's availability from a concussion, Dodd is embracing a potential opportunity to start the Scarlet Knights' biggest game of the season Saturday when they host Arkansas at High Point Solutions Stadium.
Nova, who has rebounded from an uneven sophomore campaign through the Scarlet Knights' 2-1 start, practiced Tuesday morning in a limited role, according to coach Kyle Flood, who listed him as probable for the matchup against the 3-0 Razorbacks.
"He didn't do a lot today, but we were pleased with what he did," Flood said of Nova.
Irish seek to match longest home streak in 15 years: Notre Dame Stadium is a tough place to play again, thanks in part to Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train."
Coach Brian Kelly has made the "House that Rockne Built" a tough win after nearly a decade of mediocrity. The 22nd-ranked Fighting Irish (2-1) enter Saturday's game against Michigan State (3-0) on a nine-game home winning streak, the longest such streak at the school since winning 10 straight under Bob Davie in 1997-98.
The school helped out by trying to enliven what is known as a quiet stadium by piping in music during the game, such as "Crazy Train" and playing Dropkick Murphys' "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" before the opening kickoff.
The university first started piping in music when Notre Dame played its first home night game in 21 years, a 31-17 loss to USC two years ago. The Irish haven't lost at home since, going undefeated at home last season for the time since 1998.
"They like that extra energy of the music," Kelly said.
Michigan has the nation's longest home winning streak at 17 games. Notre Dame's streak is tied for sixth longest in the nation.
Notre Dame hosts Oklahoma on Sept. 28.
Original Print Headline: College Football Notebook
College Football
There's not enough evidence yet to declare that the defense has arrived, but evidence thus far is promising.
Two seasons ago, OSU won a Big 12 title with the aid of exceptional special teams play. One department that proved lacking was the punt return unit.
