CHAPEL HILL North Carolina safety Matt Merletti went in for knee surgery on Tuesday expecting the worst.

He came out with the best possible news and a second chance at his senior season. Merletti, who injured his left knee during UNC's loss at Clemson Oct. 22, underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair loose cartilage.

Merletti had originally been diagnosed with ligament damage and was expected to be out for the rest of the season. There's no timetable for his return but there's a chance he might be able to play in the Tar Heels' bowl game in December.

Auburn: The Tigers will honor Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan before the Nov. 19 game against Sullivan's Samford Bulldogs.

Sullivan won the 1971 Heisman for the Tigers and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony will happen 25 minutes before Auburn and Samford kick off.

Florida State: While the Seminoles have never beaten Miami with a game-winning field goal, they have lost five games to the Hurricanes since 1991 because of missed kicks.

If Saturday's contest comes down to a field goal at the finish, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher likes his chances with Dustin Hopkins. The record-setting junior kicker has hit 15 of 17 field goals this season and 124 consecutive extra-points.

Miami: Safety Ray-Ray Armstrong will not play Saturday against Florida State because school officials are investigating if he committed an NCAA violation by having dinner with someone who owns a public relations firm.

Armstrong has not practiced this week, which essentially made him ineligible to be on the team's travel roster.

NCAA: The NCAA has hired a 28-year police veteran to lead its football investigations staff.

Vice president of enforcement Julie Roe Lach says William Benjamin will lead a team of football-focused investigators charged with "building knowledge, meaningful contacts and actionable leads to better inform investigations."

North Dakota: The Sioux's leading receiver will miss the team's final two games after breaking a leg.

Greg Hardin broke his left leg when he was tackled last Saturday. Hardin continued to play after being hurt, and head coach Chris Mussman says he will not need surgery.

Oregon: Running back LaMichael James simply knows that Stanford's rushing defense is good. Beyond that, he's s not going to analyze it too much.

The No. 6 Ducks visit the No. 3 Cardinal on Saturday in a game that will likely decide the Pac-12 North's representative in the inaugural league championship game.

Penn State: The National Football Foundation is withdrawing an award that it was to present to former Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley.

The NFF announced Wednesday that the John L. Toner award, given to an athletic director who has shown "outstanding dedication to college athletics and particularly college football," will not be presented in December. The organization says there will be no winner for this year.

Curley stepped down as AD on Monday.

Virginia Tech: The No. 10 Hokies control their fate in the ACC, while No. 20 Georgia Tech needs a little help to get back to the championship game.

The Hokies (8-1, 4-1 ACC) merely need to win out to take the Coastal title, while the Yellow Jackets (7-2, 4-2) need a little help - one more Virginia loss. Associated Press