McQueary, a former quarterback at Penn State and assistant coach under Joe Paterno from 2004-11, was a key witness in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

McQueary said that he say Sandusky and a boy in the showers at the Lasch Football Building.

In the ESPN The Magazine report, sources told the magazine that McQueary met with Penn State receivers on Nov. 9, 2011 — three days after prosecutors revealed McQueary’s comments about Sandusky and the shower — and said he could relate to the boy because he was also abused when he was younger.

Two players at the meeting and four other people confirmed the story to ESPN The Magazine. McQueary did not reveal who abused him.

McQueary did not comment for the story, but did say this about Paterno: “I love that man more than you can ever possibly say. He’s an unbelievable man. He did unbelievable things. He handled this thing in the best way he could. Was it foolproof or perfect? No. But I didn’t handle this in a foolproof or perfect way either. I am loyal to him to this day. I absolutely love him.”

Paterno died Jan. 22, 2012, because of lung cancer complications, just more than two months after he was fired for his role in the sex abuse scandal.


MEYER ADDRESSES HEADACHES 


Ohio State coach Urban Meyer had a medical procedure over the weekend to deal with headache problems he’s had recently, ESPN.com reported.

Meyer was expected to be on the field, though, when the Buckeyes opened practice Tuesday.

He had a small collection of fluid removed linked to a congenital arachnoid cyst that was causing him headaches. The cyst was found when he was an assistant at Notre Dame, according to the report.

“It goes on and off,” Meyer told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “But (the pain) got pretty bad a couple weeks ago. I’m going to be cautious, I’m going to be smart, but I’m fine.”

Meyer wore a hat that covered a scar on the left side of his head, ESPN.com reported.


PINKEL EXTENSION?


Gary Pinkel’s first season in the SEC was one to forget.

But 2013 saw his Missouri Tigers win the East Division, play in the SEC Championship Game and finish 12-2 with a win in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma State.

Now it looks like Pinkel will have a new contract.

According to PowerMizzou.com, Missouri and Pinkel have reached an agreement that will pay him more than $3 million per season — currently his base salary is $2.35 million.

The deal will not be official until it is been approved by the university’s Board of Curators. The board meets Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., according to PowerMizzou.com.

Pinkel’s assistant coaches are also expected to receive raises with the new deal, according to the report.

Pinkel has been at Missouri since 2001 and has a 102-63 overall record with the Tigers. While in the Big 12, Pinkel led Missouri to eight bowl appearances in 11 seasons and won at least 10 games three times.

Missouri moved to the SEC in 2012 and despite high expectations, the Tigers finished 5-7 overall and 2-6 in league play. But they quickly turned that around last season. Missouri opened the season with seven consecutive wins, including back-to-back victories against Georgia and Florida. The Tigers’ only loss in the regular season was a double-overtime setback at home against South Carolina.

With the possibility of playing for the BCS title with a victory in the SEC Championship Game, Missouri fell short against Auburn, 59-42.


FEDORA TO DRIVE PACE CAR


Larry Fedora is the North Carolina football coach first.

But he does like his NASCAR.

After spending time at Martinsville Speedway last spring, Fedora fell in love with the track and the race atmosphere and he’ll take that up a notch later this month.

Fedora is the honorary pace care driver for the STP 500 Sprint Cup race March 30.

“I’m extremely excited … I really can’t tell you how excited I am,” Fedora said. “I’ve done a ride-along and I plan on driving a race car one day, but this is the biggest thing for me so far.”

Fedora spent four seasons at head coach at Southern Miss, compiling a 34-19 record, before leaving for Chapel Hill. He’s 15-10 in two seasons with the Tar Heels.

He said that he became a NASCAR fan watching it on TV, but that seeing it in person elevated his interest. He visited Jeff Gordon’s trailer for Gordon’s race team meeting and the pregame speech and the way the team was managed reminded him a lot of football.

“I had no idea it was like that with the pit crews,” Fedora said. “I don’t know all that crew chiefs do, but it’s managing people and getting them excited. That team meeting reminded me of football. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”


CLEMSON SUSPENSIONS


Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says two returning starters in defensive end Corey Crawford and offensive lineman David Beasley are among four players who'll miss the Tigers' opening game with Georgia for violating team rules.

Swinney announced the punishments for Crawford, Beasley, backup offensive lineman Shaq Anthony and reserve cornerback Garry Peters on Tuesday, a day before the Tigers begin spring drills. He did not specify what the players did to get suspended.

Swinney called the four good young men, but said they broke rules and must understand there are consequences for their actions.

Clemson opens the season at Georgia on August 30th.

Crawford started 12 of 13 games last season and finished with 52 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Beasley started seven games.


SEC STILL IN SLIVE'S HANDS


Mike Slive isn't ready to entrust the future of the Southeastern Conference to someone else.

The longtime commissioner told AL.com on Tuesday that he will be back for the 2014-15 academic year. He has been in charge of the conference since 2002.

He won't be lacking for things to do.

"I've got too much going on," Slive said. "I've got the (SEC) Network to work on. I've got football scheduling to solve. We've got the NCAA restructuring. We've got a lot of important issues to take care of. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The 73-year-old Slive isn't putting any timetable on how long he plans to stay in the seat.

"I'll be here as long as you see me," he told AL.com. "I'll be working until I'm not working."


VOLS WR TAKES LEAVE


Tennessee plans to open spring practice Friday without wide receiver Alton "Pig" Howard.

Volunteers coach Butch Jones said Tuesday via text message that Howard is taking a leave of absence from the football team and is "dealing with some personal circumstances." Jones said Howard is still enrolled at the school.

Howard caught 44 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore last season. Howard led the Vols in receptions and touchdown catches.

Tennessee, which went 5-7 last year, is holding its first spring practice session Friday afternoon and is playing its spring game April 12. The Vols open the season Aug. 30 by hosting Utah State.


McCARNEY GETS 5-YEAR DEAL


North Texas coach Dan McCarney is getting a new five-year contract after leading the Mean Green to nine wins and their first bowl victory in 11 seasons.

School officials said Tuesday, only hours before spring practice began, that the deal was imminent. Attorneys are reviewing the new contract that will take McCarney through the 2018 season.

McCarney and his staff will get raises. Both his offensive and defensive coordinators will have new two-year contracts.

McCarney says the deals show of appreciation for the change in culture in three seasons under he and his staff. North Texas was 13-58 the six seasons before McCarney arrived. They are 18-19 under him.

The Mean Green ended last season with a 36-14 win over UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Contributors: Ken Bradley, Tom Gatto, The Associated Press