* Area officials selected for Shrine game: Two members of the Central Oregon Football Officials Association have been chosen to be part of the officiating crew for the 2012 Oregon East-West Shrine All-Star Football Game. The 60th annual contest, showcasing top players who are 2012 graduates from Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A high schools around the state, takes place this Saturday in Baker City. The COFOA officials assigned to the game are Randy Smith, of Redmond, who will serve as head linesman, and Matt Fine, of Burns, who will serve as line judge. Kickoff at Bulldog Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
• Wisconsin RB Ball attacked, hospitalized: Authorities say a group of men attacked star Wisconsin running back Montee Ball early Wednesday morning in Madison, Wisc., knocking him to the ground and causing injuries that sent him to the hospital. Police said five men jumped Ball around 2:15 a.m. near campus They knocked him down and kicked him. Ball, a finalist for the Hesiman Trophy last season, was taken to a hospital with head injuries. Coach Bret Bielema said Ball has been released and is under the care of the school’s sports medicine staff. Bielema says he expects Ball will make a full recovery, but did not address Ball’s availability. The season opens Sept. 1 against Northern Iowa. Police say Ball apparently didn’t know who the men were.
• Penn State linebacker transfers to Cal: Junior linebacker Khairi Fortt has decided to become the latest Penn State player to transfer to a Pac-12 school. Fortt signed a scholarship agreement with California on Wednesday. He has 50 tackles in the last two seasons and ended Penn State’s spring practice as the co-starter at middle linebacker on the depth chart.
