HOUSTON (AP) – Texas A&M has told the Big 12 Conference it plans to leave the league by July 2012 if it is accepted by another conference.  The move, which had been  expected, may set off another round of conference realignment in college sports. The Aggies have made it clear they want to join the 12-member Southeastern Conference.
University President R. Bowen Loftin notified the Big 12 in a letter and said it departing the Big 12 “is in the best interest of Texas A&M.” He said he hopes the move can be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.  Texas A&M had been in the Big 12 since its founding in 1996.  Loftin says the school wants greater visibility nationwide as well as “the necessary and stable financial resources” need to support athletics.

ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard Statement on Texas A&M:

“It is unfortunate that Texas A&M is moving forward with plans to depart the Big 12. They have been highly competitive in the conference and represented our league well on the national stage. Although our preference is for them to stay in the Big 12, we wish them well in the future and respect their decision. The Commissioner, Presidents and Directors of Athletics are poised to move quickly and aggressively in studying alternatives for the conference.”

w/ Jim Field

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Girls Team Scores:

1. Shenandoah  54
2. Harlan  55
3. Corning  88
4. Abraham Lincoln  97
5. Atlantic  103
6. Glenwood  128
7. Treynor  156

Individuals:

• 1.  Kristin Carmichael (Corning) 15:59
• 2.  Ali Krogman (Atlantic) 16:40
• 22.  Alex Hartwig (Atlantic) 19:13
• 24.  Liz Siggins (Atlantic) 19:16
• 25.  Alisha Hinzman (Atlantic) 19:21
• 30.  Megan Plambeck (Atlantic) 19:52
• 32.  Caroline Trewet (Atlantic) 20:21
• 33.  Allie Siggins (Atlantic) 20:27

Boys Team Scores:

1. Glenwood  25
2. Shenandoah  59
3. Thomas Jefferson  61
4. Harlan  114
5. Abraham Lincoln  120
6. Atlantic  140
7. Treynor  185
8. Red Oak  187

Individuals:

• 1.  Mark Abrams (Glenwood) 17:51
• 16.  Cory Whitt (Atlantic) 19:44
• 22.  Tian Siggins (Atlantic) 20:21
• 25.  Josiah Williams (Atlantic) 20:24
• 33.  Sam Bateman (Atlantic) 20:56
• 45.  Jake Auerbach (Atlantic) 21:42
• 47.  Derek VonSeggern (Atlantic) 21:57
• 49.  Ryan McDermott (Atlantic) 22:25

Adair-Casey 25-25-24-25, Exira-EHK 17-20-26-18
Benton, MO 25-25, Essex 11-15
East Sac County 18-25-25-25, Carroll 25-19-19-12
Essex 20-25, Fairfax, MO 25-22
Fremont-Mills 25-24-15, Tarkio, MO 14-26-10
Glidden-Ralston 20-25-25-25-16, Orient-Macksburg 25-14-16-27-14
Guthrie Center 25-25-25, Audubon 16-19-18
Martensdale-St Marys 25-23-25-25, Nodaway Valley 17-25-21-19
Missouri Valley 25-25-25, Logan-Magnolia 13-17-13
Rock Port, MO 25-25, Essex 16-16
St. Albert, Council Bluffs 25-25-17-26, Clarinda 22-21-25-24
Tri-Center, Neola 25-25, East Mills 8-12
Tri-Center, Neola 25-25, Sidney 9-12
Underwood 25-24-15, Fremont-Mills 19-26-11
Villisca 25-29-25, Griswold 14-27-21

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says quarterback A.J. Derby will likely open the season as the backup to junior James Vandenberg. Derby, a 6-foot-4, 232-pound redshirt freshman from Iowa City, would get the nod over James Wienke as the reserve behind Vandenberg. Ferentz on Tuesday praised Derby for his size, quick feet and competitiveness. But it appears unlikely that the Hawkeyes will prepare special packages for Derby simply to get him on the field. Derby could see playing time as early as Saturday, though, when the Hawkeyes host FCS school Tennessee Tech. Iowa has won its last 10 openers by an average of 31.5 points, allowing backups like Derby to get experience.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s Marvin McNutt is one of the nation’s best receivers, a 6-foot-4 perfect fit for the Hawkeyes. McNutt might have trouble finding open space if Iowa can’t find anyone else dangerous enough to keep defenses honest. Junior wide receiver Keenan Davis is among the inexperienced players the Hawkeyes are leaning on after losing 12 starters from a year ago. Davis had just 11 catches in 2010 while playing behind McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. He’ll get his first career start on Saturday when Iowa opens the season at home against Tennessee Tech. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Davis has shown potential as a big-play receiver. He says the next step for Davis is to prove it on Saturdays.

     IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The dog who touched hearts all over the world by lying next to the casket of a slain Navy SEAL might lead the Iowa Hawkeyes onto the field during a game this season.  The university said Tuesday it will honor Jon Tumilson and other veterans at one of two home games in November. The team says it will work with Tumilson’s family to determine what role his loyal dog, Hawkeye, might play.  Tumilson was one of 30 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 in a helicopter crash. Photos of his pet Labrador retriever lying near his casket during a funeral service went viral.  A former player suggested the dog lead the team before Saturday’s game against Tennessee Tech and fans embraced the idea.

     KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs have placed offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan on injured reserve and released backup kicker Todd Carter to reach the 80-player roster limit before Tuesday’s deadline.  O’Callaghan had missed nearly all of training camp with an undisclosed injury. He was picked up off waivers before the 2009
season and started 12 games that year, but he was injured in training camp last season and Barry Richardson took over the starting job.  Carter was signed on Aug. 10 as a second kicker in camp, but he’s played sparingly in three preseason games and never challenged Ryan Succop for the starting job.  The Chiefs play Green Bay in their final preseason game Thursday night. They must cut to 53 players by Saturday.

     The Big 12 board of directors has formed a committee to discuss schools that could replace Texas A&M if the Aggies leave the league as expected.  Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton, who serves as the board chairman, said Tuesday that the committee could also address the possibility of expanding the conference even if Texas A&M stays put.
     The Aggies are interested in joining the Southeastern Conference and they received a letter from Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe on Monday outlining the withdrawal procedure if they decide to leave.  Deaton says the Big 12 board has not received notification that the Aggies plan to leave.

     The bigger Big Ten is ready to go.  After talking about the move for more than a year, the biggest addition – No. 10 Nebraska – will begin its season Saturday and all 12 conference members are in action this week in a league that will have two divisions and a title game for the first time.  Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini says there’s a sense that finally they can focus on football.  It was a tumultuous offseason in the conference with four new coaches hired, including Ohio State’s Luke Fickell after the 18th-ranked Buckeyes dealt with a scandal that cost Jim Tressel his job.  The season kicks off when No. 11 Wisconsin hosts UNLV on Thursday night.