UNR names sophomore Graziano as starting quarterback for opener

Nick Graziano will start at quarterback when UNR opens its season Saturday at Nebraska.

Coach Chris Ault said the 6-foot-1-inch, 220 pound sophomore has earned the start but added that redshirt freshman Colin Kaepernick also will play.

Graziano is the only quarterback on the Wolf Pack roster with college experience. He backed up three-year starter Jeff Rowe last season and completed 9 of 17 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time.

The 6-6, 215-pound Kaepernick was the scout team quarterback last season.

• TEXAS -- Coach Mack Brown got a two-year contract extension through the 2016 season, boosting his salary from $2.66 million to $2.91 million, including a special payment of $100,000 to be paid Saturday, the day No. 4 Texas opens the season at home against Arkansas State.

Like his original contract, the extension includes $100,000 annual raises that will push Brown past $3 million next year.

Brown, 56, will get a $1 million bonus if he stays through next season and will receive a $2 million bonus if he's still at the school Jan. 1, 2010.

• MIAMI -- Junior Kirby Freeman was named the Hurricanes' starting quarterback, beating out senior Kyle Wright in the most-scrutinized competition of training camp.

Freeman took over after Wright was injured last season and led the team to a 2-2 record. He spent 21 games as Wright's backup over the previous 1 1/2 seasons.

Also, sophomore wide receiver Sam Shields was suspended for Saturday's game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

• TENNESSEE -- Starting quarterback Erik Ainge jammed the pinky on his throwing hand taking snaps Monday, coach Phillip Fulmer said. Ainge downplayed the injury, saying, "I am ready to play." The 15th-ranked Volunteers open the season Saturday at No. 12 California.

• OHIO STATE -- Todd Boeckman will start at quarterback when the No. 11 Buckeyes host Youngstown State on Saturday.

Boeckman, a fourth-year junior who is 23, was listed No. 1 on the depth chart entering spring practice, then solidified his position this fall over contenders Rob Schoenhoft, Antonio Henton and Joe Bauserman.

• EAST CAROLINA -- The school suspended sophomore quarterback Rob Kass for the season opener at No. 9 Virginia Tech, three days after he was charged with driving while impaired.