Football update

UC wide receiver Marcus Barnett, who broke his leg (fibula) during the PapaJohn’s.com Bowl on Dec. 22, remains on crutches after undergoing surgery on Dec. 24 to insert a steel plate. According to Brian Kelly, the injury will keep him sidelined for three months, which means he'll miss spring practice.

Quarterback Ben Mauk also underwent surgery to clean out scar tissue from his first surgery in the fall of 2006. “It’s taken away some of the impingement that he had,” Kelly said. “He can feel the difference already.”

Kelly said that UC could submit the appeal to get another year of elgibility for Mauk as early as Monday.

Kelly, who signed a letter of agreement on Dec. 17 that extends his contract through the 2012 season hasn’t signed the actual contract yet. His contract is on the agenda for the Jan. 29 Board of Trustees meeting. Presumably he’ll sign it then.