Penn State Tough at Linebacker

Penn State’s LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short are among four finalists for the Butkus Award, given each year to the nation’s top linebacker.

Kansas State’s Mark Simoneau and Tennessee’s Raynoch Thompson are the other finalists.

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Oregon cornerback and kick returner Michael Fletcher flew to his hometown of Compton after the death of his mother, Duck Coach Mike Bellotti said Thursday.

Marietta Thomas died Tuesday night from an undisclosed illness.

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North Carolina’s Errol Hood stopped Chris Coleman at the one-yard line with 1:43 left as the Tar Heels defeated North Carolina State, 10-6, in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday in an Atlantic Coast Conference game. North Carolina (2-8, 1-6) beat the Wolfpack (6-5, 3-5) for the seventh consecutive time.