Local digest: Ron Rivera, Darrin Nelson among 81 nominees for the College Football Hall of Fame
- March 7, 2014
The College Football Hall of Fame announced its 2014 nominees Thursday, and they included Stanford running back Darrin Nelson, Cal linebacker Ron Rivera, former San Jose State and Cal State East Bay (then known as Cal State Hayward) coach Darryl Rogers and former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who's a graduate of Ygnacio Valley High. (Bellotti earned his master's in physical education at CSUEB in 1982 and was an assistant football coach at the university from 1977-78 and again from 1980-83)
In 1981, Nelson became the first college player to rush for at least 1,000 yards and catch 50 passes in a season.
Rivera, now the coach of the Carolina Panthers, was Cal's leading tackler from 1981-83. In 1983, he set a school record that still stands today with 26.5 tackles for loss.
Rogers coached the Spartans from 1973-75. He also coached Fresno State, Michigan State and Arizona State.
Bellotti achieved the first four 10-victory seasons in Ducks history.
Others among the 81 nominees include Lincoln Kennedy (Washington), Steve Wisniewski (Penn State), Ken Norton Jr. (UCLA), Kirk Gibson (Michigan State), Eric Dickerson (SMU), Ricky Williams (Texas), Warren Sapp (Miami) and Ray Lewis (Miami).
The 2014 inductees will be announced in May.