College Football | Absent Beaver Stroughter releases statement

Sammie Stroughter, a standout receiver at Oregon State who hasn't been at practice since Aug. 8, released a statement Tuesday.

"On behalf of the family, I would like to take this time to release a brief statement regarding recent practices missed prior to the official start of the season," began the statement, signed Sammie Stroughter & Family. "During the past year my family and I have experienced a considerable amount of grief and mourning due to the passing of two family members who were important male role models in my life. In addition to these losses, Coach Jim Gilstrap, who recruited me to OSU, passed away this summer.

"These losses have taken my entire family by storm and the grief from these incidents has affected each one of us differently. It has been the decision of my immediate family and I that I take whatever time needed to get over what I am personally experiencing due to the sudden changes in my life."

Beavers coach Mike Riley said he supports Stroughter's decision, OregonLive.com reported.

Stroughter, a senior who has a redshirt season available, caught 74 passes for 1,293 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also returned three punts for touchdowns.

Notes

• The Orange Bowl has hosted a dozen games that decided a national championship and five Super Bowls. Miami football called it home for seven decades — but after this season, no more.

The Hurricanes will play at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens starting in 2008, leaving the historic but decaying Orange Bowl in what university president Donna Shalala called "a painful and sad decision." University trustees voted to make the move despite the offer of $206 million by city officials to renovate one of Miami's best-known landmarks.

Miami's last scheduled game at the Orange Bowl is Nov. 10 against Virginia.

• A judge in Bellefonte, Pa., dismissed five of seven charges against Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto for an April off-campus fight. The judge let stand a felony count of criminal trespass, and Scirrotto still faces one count of harassment, a summary offense. Scirrotto led the Big Ten with six interceptions last season.

Defensive tackle Chris Baker faces four charges, two of them felonies. Trials in both cases are to start in October.

• West Virginia suspended cornerback Ellis Lankster and linebacker J.T. Thomas, two days after they were arrested on suspicion of transferring and receiving stolen property. Police said the allegedly stolen item was a laptop computer.

• Michigan tight end Carson Butler has been reinstated to the team after being cleared of charges of attacking another student in March.

• Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops named Sam Bradford the starting quarterback. Bradford beat out Joey Halzle and Keith Nichol.