Franchione: Buyout not in the works

Dennis Franchione dodged questions about his future as Texas A&M; coach Tuesday and said reports he was negotiating a contract buyout were untrue.

“I am not going to get into the rumor game with you guys,” Franchione said during his weekly news conference. “There are no facts to that and I’m not into it. I’m sorry that you guys have to deal with it.”

Several media outlets reported Monday the school was to get rid of Franchione after five years as coach. Franchione’s contract pays him $2 million per year and runs through 2012.

The Aggies play Saturday at Missouri and Franchione refused to talk about anything but that game.

“I know you have your work to do and your questions to ask, but I’m a non-participant in this,” Franchione said.

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan said he would not resign before the season ends, even if he were offered a buyout worth more than he is entitled to by his contract.

“That term ‘resignation’ is not in our vocabulary,” Callahan said.

Quarterback Dan LeFevour scored on a keeper from one yard out with 12 seconds left, giving Central Michigan a 34-31 victory over Western Michigan at Kalamazoo, Mich., clinching the Mid-American Conference West title. The Chippewas (6-4, 5-0 MAC) hadn’t won at Kalamazoo since 1993.

The victory put Central Michigan in the Dec. 1 Mid-American championship game for the second consecutive year.

Western Michigan is 3-7. 2-4.

Stanford sophomore wide receiver Richard Sherman has been suspended for the Cardinal’s game Saturday at Washington State because of poor sportsmanship on the sidelines during a loss to Washington. . . . Coach Charlie Weis has yet to name either Evan Sharpley or Jimmy Clausen as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame’s game Saturday against Air Force.

Miami quarterback Kyle Wright will start Saturday against Virginia. Cavaliers Coach Al Groh said injured tailback Cedric Peerman would sit out the game.