Roundup: Oregon hires Colorado's Jim Leavitt as defensive coordinator

The Willie Taggart era appears to be off to a great start, as Oregon hired Jim Leavitt as defensive coordinator (ESPN, FOX Sports first reported it). Leavitt was the DC for Colorado the past two seasons.

As Stanford women’s volleyball gets ready to carry the conference banner at the Final Four in Columbus, Ohio, Cardinal outside hitter Kathryn Plummer was named AVCA National Freshman of the Year. The Cardinal play Minnesota in the Final Four (the Cardinal defeated Minnesota in four sets during the first weekend of the season).

Contrary to reports, Pitt AD Scott Barnes says he has not accepted the Oregon State AD position. Gina Mizell has more info.

Rashaan Salaam’s brother says his family will not permit the coroner’s office to order CTE tests due to religious beliefs, according to USA Today and The Daily Camera.

Adam Jude lets us know that Washington is selling a limited number of Peach Bowl tickets to the public after selling more than 10,000 of its 13,000 allotted tickets to season-ticket holders. The asking price is $175.

According to a memo sent to athletic department staff members noted here by Doug Haller, Arizona State uniforms will be primarily maroon and gold going forward. The Sun Devils have experimented a lot with uniform color combinations in recent years.

Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky is a unanimous consensus All-American, the third Ute to achieve the feat alongside Louie Sakoda and Tom Hackett (The Salt Lake Tribune).

Jacob Thorpe notes that a depleted Minnesota roster will be vulnerable to Washington State’s Air Raid attack in the Holiday Bowl. Ten Gophers, many of them defensive backs, have been suspended indefinitely in connection to a sexual assault accusation.

No. 2 UCLA men’s basketball blew out UC Santa Barbara 102-62 thanks to double-doubles from TJ Leaf and Lonzo Ball (Pac-12 Networks highlights). The Bruins are now 11-0 on the season.

Meanwhile, Arizona men’s basketball defeated Grand Canyon 64-54, getting 11 points apiece from Rawle Alkins, Lauri Markkanen and Dusan Ristic.

Jon Wilner lets us know that Cal football has signed two junior college transfers in order to help strengthen the defense – defensive lineman Alex Funches and linebacker Da’Quan Patton.

Scott Wolf gives us the rundown of the award winners at the USC football banquet Wednesday night. Adoree’ Jackson was named team MVP, while QB Sam Darnold was named most inspirational player.