The university said James died at his home from the effects of pancreatic cancer. He had been receiving treatment for the disease since late September.

James was 176-78-3 as a head coach at Kent State and Washington. He went 153-58-2 with the Huskies from 1975-92 and led the school to a six-pack of Rose Bowl appearances. His crowning moment came in 1991 when Washington had the most dominant defense in the country and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl to finish 12-0. The Associated Press media poll gave Miami — James' alma mater — the national championship, while the coaches' voted in favor of Washington in their poll.

"His accomplishments as a football coach stand alone, but what made him truly special is the quality of man he was away from the game," current Washington coach Steve Sakrisian said. "The guidance and leadership he instilled into this program and community are still felt today, and will continue to be felt here for a long, long time."

James played quarterback at the Miami, graduating in 1954 with a degree in education.

He was an unknown when he arrived in Seattle in 1975, taking over for Jim Owens. He came from Kent State, where he led the Golden Flashes to the Mid-American Conference title in 1972. While at Kent State, James coached future Hall of Famer Jack Lambert and future college coaches Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel.

"(I) can't tell him how much we appreciate all that he's done for us and our career. So, thanks," Saban said in September after learning of James' illness.

It didn't take long for Washington to become a contender. The Huskies went 6-5 in his first year after winning six games combined in the final two years Owens was coach. By 1977, led by quarterback Warren Moon, they beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. It was the first of James' six Rose Bowl trips, topped by the 34-14 win over Michigan in 1991. Only once — his second season — did the Huskies have a losing record, winning at least six games every other year.

Washington won 10 games seven times and went to a bowl game in 14 seasons under James. Washington nearly won the national title in 1984 after beating Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, only to be edged out in the voting by BYU. The Huskies were also in line for the title in 1990 before losing at home to UCLA.


ALIOTTI: WSU MOVE ‘LOW CLASS’


Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti complained following the No. 2 Ducks' 62-38 victory over Washington State about the Cougars leaving in their starters and throwing for two late touchdowns.

Aliotti's called out Washington State head coach Mike Leach, calling the tactic "low class." Oregon pulled its starters in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game.

"I am kind of stunned he would keep his quarterback and crew in there,'' Aliotti told reporters after the game via The Oregonian. "And still he threw the ball with 20 seconds left. …

"They want stats, they got stats. But we got the most important stat, and that's the 'W,' and we are happy about that.''

Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday played the entire game, completing 58 of 89 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw four interceptions.

His attempts broke the FBS-level record of 83 set by Drew Brees for Purdue on Oct. 10, 1998 against Wisconsin. Halliday's total attempts and completions also broke the Pac-12 records set by Arizona's Matt Scott last season, and his total yards set a Washington State record.

Aliotti apologized on Sunday. "My integrity's important to me, and the type of person I really am wasn't portrayed in that moment," Aliotti told GoDucks.com. "I got caught up in the emotion, and that's not what a man of Oregon should do. I'm embarrassed."


GAMECOCKS' SHAW LIKELY OUT


South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says quarterback Connor Shaw won't need surgery for his sprained left knee, but Shaw is unlikely to play when the 20th-ranked Gamecocks travel to No. 5 Missouri this weekend.

Spurrier says Sunday that Shaw had on a knee brace and was walking some a day after injuring the knee in a 23-21 loss at Tennessee. However, Spurrier added that Shaw wouldn't practice for two to three days. Should Shaw make it back in time, it wouldn't be the first time the senior overcame injuries to play.

Three weeks ago, Spurrier was told Shaw would miss up to three games because of a shoulder injury suffered against UCF on Sept. 28. However, Shaw was back at practice two days later and played the next week against Kentucky.


IRISH QB DAY-TO-DAY


Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly sounded hopeful quarterback Tommy Rees will be ready to play Saturday against struggling Air Force after sustaining a neck injury against USC.

"He's feeling better today. Still a little sore, but it will be a day-to-day situation," Kelly said Sunday.

Kelly said he expects Rees to practice Tuesday. The Fighting Irish (5-2) probably need Rees to heal quickly after seeing the offense become incapacitated when Rees left the game with a sprained neck with 9 minutes left in the third quarter when linebacker Lamar Dawson sacked him.

With backup Andrew Hendrix in the game, the Irish managed just two first downs and the Irish went three-and-out on three other possessions and lost the ball on a fumble on another.

The Irish offense wasn't dominating against USC, but looked solid while Rees was in. Rees completed 14 of 21 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the 14-10 victory. "We liked the way he played," Kelly said.

Rees will need to practice several times this week to be ready to play at Air Force (1-6) Saturday, Kelly said.

"We're not at a point where we can afford to just roll out there on Saturday," Kelly said.


ALABAMA MAY LOSE SAFETY


Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned to Alabama's defense at a fortuitous time. The top-ranked Crimson Tide's free safety has rejoined a secondary that has been in near-constant shuffle mode this season.

Starting strong safety Vinnie Sunseri went down early in Saturday night's 52-0 romp over Arkansas with a left knee injury that coach Nick Saban said could be serious. Neither Clinton-Dix's two-game suspension nor changes in starters opposite cornerback Deion Belue have kept the Tide and the nation's top scoring defense from rolling along so far.

Alabama (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) is still in position to become the first team to lead the nation in scoring defense three years in a row.

Now, one of the defensive leaders is back in the fold, while another's status is uncertain. Clinton-Dix was reinstated by the NCAA Friday after sitting out the Georgia State and Kentucky games for reportedly receiving a short-term loan from an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

The front seven has been a consistent force led by linebacker C.J. Mosley but Saban has started eight defensive backs at least two games apiece. Only Sunseri has started every game, thanks either to injuries or players getting jumped on the depth chart.

The secondary was already replacing starters Dee Milliner and Robert Lester, who moved on to the NFL after last season.

Plus, cornerback Bradley Sylve, who has started the past two games, is day-to-day for the Tennessee game with a high ankle sprain sustained against Arkansas. Saban is expected to give an update on Sunseri's status on Monday.

If Sunseri is out, that could mean Landon Collins pulls fill-in duty at his old position. He moved to free safety to replace Clinton-Dix during the suspension.

Contributors: Carl Moritz, The Associated Press

PHOTOS:  College Football Week 8