Image: Newscom

Last summer, former basketball player Sammy Villegas was charged with fixing gamers during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. Harvey McDougle, a former running back, was also charged on similar counts, but those charges were dropped due to procedural problems. He could be charged again, and other players may also be charged.

None of the current players at Toledo are thought to be involved in the scheme, which took place between 2003 and 2006. Cuomo was a senior during 2003, and he says that he’s the student that initiated the fraud along with 52-year-old Ghazi “Gary” Manni, a grocer from Detroit. He also says that he recruited players to participate.

Cuomo grew up in Ontario and returned to Canada following college. Authorities hope that Cuomo returns to the United States on his own, but their could issue an indictment and extradite him in May if he doesn’t.

The students involved took huge risks for relatively small monetary benefits ($500 – $1000, according to reports), which baffles authorities. Let that be a lesson to all you college students. If you’re going to do stupid things, make sure that the risks don’t outweight the rewards.

Post from: EveryJoe

Toledo Ex-RB Admits to Point-Shaving Role

Buffalo 37, Miami-OH 17

• Early Scores Lift Buffalo Past Miami, 37-17 at Miami Ohio Football News
• Starks rushes for 177 yards as Buffalo Bulls blast Miami at Daily Sports News Online

#17 Ball State 45, Northern Illinois 14

• Ball State remains undefeated with 45-14 rout on Huskies at College Football Action
• Ball State handles Northern Illinois at The Anniston Star

Akron 27, Toledo 30

• Rockets Fall to Akron, 47-30 at Toledo Headline News

Western Michigan 23, Illinois 17

• Broncos Turn Back Illinois, 23-17 at MAC Report Online
• Western Michigan the ‘better team’ in frustrating Illini loss at The Daily Illini

Bowling Green 28, Ohio 3

• Bowling Green Bashes Bobcats at Buckeyenewshawk’s Blog
• Falcons dominate Ohio in 28-3 loss at The Post

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 11: Blogging about Mid-American

Until you remember that there are like…a thousand bowl games.

Despite wins against Eastern Michigan and Michigan this season, as well as a hard-fought double overtime loss to Fresno State, Toledo ranks at the bottom of the barrel in almost every major NCAA team state. Having the 99th best defense in the nation, for example, isn’t exactly something you like to tell people.

But this isn’t the end for Toledo Tom. According to athletic director Mike O’Brien, Amstutz is staying with the school and will be given a different job in the athletic department. In other words, they know he’s good for this program, even if he’s not the best college football coach out there. Maybe he’ll head up recruiting? (And yes, that is pure speculation on my part.)

In any case, his replacement has yet to be named. He’ll be officially stepping down tomorrow morning during a press conference, sources say, so the school must have someone in mind to take over for the rest of the season. After that, will the position open up? Or, a better question – will anyone want it?

Picture via Newscom.

Post from: EveryJoe

Toledo Tom gets the Boot