College football kicks off, the NFL preseason ends and much more in our Friday Sports News And Notes…

** South Carolina and Vanderbilt helped kick off the start of the college football season on Thursday and the Gamecocks escape Nashville with a 17-13 win.   UCF hit the road to face Akron and came away with a 56-14 win.   Minnesota won at UNLV and BYU at home ripped Washington State in Mike Leach’s debut as coach at Washington State.

** The NFL preseason is now over with the regular season to start next week.   Last night, Jacksonville beat Atlanta 24-14 to end a 3-1 preseason.

** 30 year old American Andy Roddick announces his retirement effective after his run at the U.S. Open where he is currently playing.   He won only one Grand Slam event during a very solid if unspectacular career.

** High School football is now underway locally after GHS beat Yulee (see story on this website) and Oak Hall beat Florida Deaf And Blind School.   A host of area games take place tonight featuring Eastside against Buchholz in Gainesville at Citizens Field.