College football roundup: San Diego State will remain in Mountain West
San Diego State is staying in the Mountain West Conference.
After the school announced last year that it would leave the Mountain West to join the Big East as a football-playing member for the 2013-14 season, the Aztecs have backtracked on the move.
The Mountain West reinstated San Diego State as an all-sports member Wednesday. The Aztecs planned to join the Big West for all other sports but football.
Boise State also was set to join the Big East but backed out in late December and decided to remain in the Mountain West. It had to pay an exit fee, but San Diego State won't be required to do the same because of an escape clause that allowed the Aztecs to opt out if Boise State or another team west of the Rockies didn't join the Big East.
With Boise State and San Diego State staying in the fold, the Mountain West would have 12 football teams for next season.
---Southern Cal football coach Lane Kiffin disputed reports of a locker room brawl among Trojans players following the team's 21-7 loss to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.
"Contrary to media reports, there was not a brawl or altercation in our locker room after the Sun Bowl," Kiffin said in a statement. "There was a noisy verbal exchange among a couple players who were frustrated with the outcome of the game. It lasted less than a minute and was nothing physical. It happens sometimes in football locker rooms after a disappointing loss."
The Los Angeles Daily News reported that a young player precipitated the incident involving 10-15 players when he questioned the team's senior leadership and also quarterback Matt Barkley for sitting out the Dec. 31 game because of a shoulder injury.
---Georgia running back Ken Malcome announced in a release he will leave George and transfer to another school.
A redshirt sophomore, Malcome was the Bulldogs' third leading rusher this past season with 446 yards.
