Keith Farner

Feb 16, 2024 | saturdaydownsouth.com | Keith Farner

Bruce Pearl is ready for a showdown from Kentucky on Saturday, a game expected to showcase Neville Arena’s raucous home-court environment in “The Jungle.”The game, set for 6 p.m. ET will pit the No. 13 Tigers against the No. 22 Wildcats. Auburn is 20-5 and 9-3 in the SEC, tied for second, while UK is 17-7 and 7-4 in the league, 2 games behind Alabama, which sits at 9-2. Here are some of Pearl’s comments from his Friday media availability:“You can feel the energy on campus,” he said.

Feb 16, 2024 | saturdaydownsouth.com | Keith Farner

Cole Cubelic and Greg McElroy took on the debate Friday morning of who is the current face of college football. McElroy on WJOX and “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning” noted how it’s difficult for players to be the face because of the changing nature of the sport, not to mention the short window of stardom. Cubelic said playing at multiple schools at a high level may help a player’s case in this category.

Feb 16, 2024 | saturdayroad.com | Keith Farner

Boo Corrigan will be with NC State for several more years. Corrigan, who recently stepped down as chair of the College Football Playoff committee, signed a contract extension with the Wolfpack through 2029. He’s been the AD at State since 2019. The Wolfpack promoted that since Corrigan arrived in Raleigh, State has won 16 ACC team championships, 3 more than any other league school during that time frame.

Feb 16, 2024 | saturdaydownsouth.com | Keith Farner

South Carolina has welcomed Shawn Elliott back to Columbia as the new tight ends coach and run game coordinator. The Gamecocks officially announced the former Georgia State coach has returned to the Garnet and Black, and released his salary information. Elliott has a 3-year contract, according to Alan Cole of Rivals, and he’s set to earn $750,000 the first two years, $775,000 in year three. Cole noted that Elliott’s annual salary with the Panthers was $811,000.

Feb 16, 2024 | saturdaytradition.com | Keith Farner

Penn State trustees are pushing to honor Joe Paterno more than a decade after the coach was fired amid the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Those trustees and high-ranking university representatives met privately twice in January to discuss whether to name the football field at Beaver Stadium after Paterno, SpotlightPA reported.