Quite an exciting half, eh? Here’s some news to wake yourself up while you enjoy the haunting melodies of Mr. Petty & his Heartbreakers:

• The MONTREAL GAZETTE’s OPEN COURT is at a loss for words, as Israeli tennis fans decided to grunt along with Maria Sharapova during her Fed Cup match.

• The RICHMOND (VA) TIMES-DISPATCH notes that musicians often see record sales skyrocket after Super Bowl appearances - even if they’re not getting paid for it.

• Speaking of Sunday’s spectacle, THE BACHELOR GUY has some helpful tips in explaining the Big Game to your girlfriend.

• GAME DAILY learns that Joe Montana can be a big jerk about being a little camera shy.

• BUSTED COVERAGE sends along news that FedEx employees better deliver themselves to work on Monday, or else.

• THE WIZARD OF ODDS gets teary-eyed at the tale of a Washington State football player replacing his teammate’s contact-lens solution with rubbing alcohol.

Read more…

COLO ST, WASH ST, SOUTHERN MISS COACHES KICKED OUT: The college coaching carousel turns yet again, as Sonny Lubick is out at Colorado State:

The DENVER POST reports that Lubick was asked to resign from his post after 15 years at the Fort Collins school. However, CSU has been offered their now ex-coach a position as “goodwill ambassador for Rams athletics”, in order to stay employed with the college.Meanwhile, the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER reports that Bill Doba has resigned after a five-year stint as Washington State’s head coach.

Doba finishes his performance on the Palouse with a 30-29 record, with his only winning season coming in his first year in 2003.And the HATTIESBURG AMERICAN reports that Jeff Bower has ended his 17-year coaching career with Southern Miss.

Bower announced his final game on the Golden Eagles sideline would be in the Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 22 in Birmingham. Ironically, Bower’s first game as USM coach was at Legion Field for the 1990 All-American Bowl.Updating the job listings, here’s the 1-A programs still on the lookout for new leadership:

• Michigan
• Nebraska
• Arkansas
• Baylor
• SMU
• Duke
• Georgia Tech
• Northern Illinois
• Colorado State
• Washington State
• Southern Miss

Off the board: Mississippi, who just nabbed a Nutt.