Florida State Loses Tailback Lee for Cotton Bowl Because of Grades

Florida State junior tailback Amp Lee, the Seminoles’ top runner this season, will not play in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day for academic reasons, Coach Bobby Bowden said Tuesday.

Lee, who rushed for 977 yards and caught 26 passes for 336 yards, failed to meet NCAA academic standards during the recently completed semester.

He could have qualified for the game, because NCAA rules say a player’s ineligibility starts the first day of classes in the next semester--Jan. 6 at Florida State. But the school’s policy is that the player immediately is ineligible.

“It is a shame that this has happened,” Bowden said. “I know Amp was excited about playing in the Cotton Bowl, and he has indicated to me that he is looking forward to his senior year at Florida State.”

The fifth-ranked Seminoles (10-2) play No. 9 Texas A&M; (10-1) in the Cotton Bowl at Dallas on New Year’s Day.

Lee, who is majoring in social science, can regain his eligibility for next season by improving his grades before practice begins. Lee said he was “very upset” about the situation, adding that he intended to attend Tallahassee Community College during the spring to improve them.

“I did not fulfill the expectations of a lot of people, including myself and my teammates,” Lee said. “This in no way should be construed as my making a decision to leave school and turn professional.”

Replacing Lee in the Cotton Bowl will be sophomore Sean Jackson, who has gained 392 yards in 63 carries, an average of 6.2 yards per carry.

News that Lee will be unable to play in the bowl game was the latest blow to Florida State, which was ranked No. 1 all season until losing its last two games to Miami and Florida.

Lee, known for cuts and shiftiness rather than speed, is only 32 yards shy of becoming the first Florida State player to rush for 2,000 yards and catch passes for 1,000 yards in his career.

“I have not, in any way, ruled out returning to Florida State next year, and I intend to work toward graduation and earning a degree,” Lee said.

Lee has rushed for 2,092 yards and caught 70 passes for 968 yards. He has scored 30 touchdowns rushing and eight receiving.