Read option: Fresno State re-ups DeRuyter with $7.5 million, five-year contract

Fresno State, DeRuyter reach agreement on new five-year contract

Tim DeRuyter inherited a football program at Fresno State that was in poor shape by the time Pat Hill was relieved from his post as head coach in 2011. The Bulldogs finished 4-9 in Hill's final season, but enjoyed a quick turnaround under DeRuyter. After compiling a tidy 20-6 record in two seasons at Fresno State, the school has upped its commitment to DeRuyter, inking the coach to a new $7.5 million, five year contract. 

DeRuyter, a former defensive coordinator with Texas A&M, Air Force, and Nevada, helped install a much more effective rushing defense. 

Quarterback Derek Carr was central to the Bulldogs success over the last two seasons, and he's gone now. You can take his elite quarterback away, but you can't take Tim DeRuyter's back-to-back Mountain West Conference titles. 

Miami RB Duke Johnson likely out until the fall

Miami was 7-0 heading into its game with eventual national champion Florida State this past season. The Hurricanes wound up losing more than just its undefeated record in the 41-14 loss to the Seminoles. Running back Duke Johnson broke his ankle versus Florida State, and Miami went on to lose three straight games. Johnson was in the midst of a very good season, having piled up 920 yards and six touchdowns on 145 carries through parts of eight games. The explosive running back is expected to miss spring workouts as he recovers from the ankle injury, the Miami Herald reports. 

“I’m really excited in the progress I’ve made, and everyone else [at UM] is excited, too,” said Johnson. "I’m just ready to get back.” 

“I don’t believe I will [participate this spring]. But if anything changes, you’ll see. But I don’t really think so."

Johnson hung on to lead the Hurricanes in rushing yards despite missing five full games. 

Poach Franklin continues to flip Vandy commits

Had Vanderbilt known that James Franklin would have taken so many recruits with him to Penn State, then perhaps the program would have upped its effort to retain the head coach. Franklin was at it again on Monday, reportedly snatching quarterback recruit Trace McSorely and defensive back Grant Haley from Vanderbilt. Both recruits committed to Vanderbilt under Franklin, and will now join the coach at his new home with the Nittany Lions. 

Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton to be ready for June workouts

Good news for people who love good college football players. Chuckie Keeton is expected to be cleared to return to action for June workouts. Keeton suffered a torn ACL in the Aggies sixth game of the season. Keeton was enjoying a productive and exciting season before falling to injury; the junior had completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 1,388 yards with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions to go along with 241 rushing yards and two scores on 55 carries. 

Rutgers paints Big Ten logo at High Points Solutions Stadium

Locked in a dispute with the AAC over its exit fee, this has got to be the most expensive paint job in Rutgers history.

Tennessee fan makes a song for Lane Kiffin

The image of the rock defaced with a vulgar message for Lane Kiffin, not to mention the Al Davis-themed shot, add up to a less than kind message for new Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. This parody song set to the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme song is worth a chuckle or two.

Urban Meyer and Goldust are together at last

He looks a little old for a recruit, Mr. Meyer...