COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : NCAA Probation for Mississippi

The University of Mississippi football program was put on four years’ probation and had its scholarships halved Thursday in what the NCAA called “one of the most serious cases” heard recently.

The Rebels will not be allowed to play postseason games in 1995 and 1996 and cannot appear on television in 1995.

It is the second time in less than 10 years that the Mississippi football team will serve probation.

In the latest case, Mississippi was charged with a lack of institutional control over the football program, including allegations that recruits were offered cash and cars. The NCAA said the charges were similar to those in a 1986 case that led to two years’ probation.

David Swank, chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions, said the reason for the severity of the penalties stemmed from the earlier case and the university “seemingly not correcting those problems.”

The school has until Dec. 1 to appeal the findings or penalties, but university attorney Mary Ann Connell said an appeal was highly unlikely.

Incoming Athletic Director Pete Boone said the television and bowl ban could cost the program more than $2.5 million next year alone--about $1.9 million in television revenue and at least $600,000 in bowl revenue from the Southeastern Conference.

Boone assumes the position full-time on Jan. 1. He was hired in September to replace Warner Alford, who resigned after 16 years on July 11, a day before the school fired head football coach Billy Brewer after 11 seasons.

Swank said the sanctions would have been more severe had personnel changes not been made.

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Wisconsin tailback Brent Moss, the most valuable player in last year’s Rose Bowl game, issued a public apology after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of cocaine.

Moss, suspended from the team after his arrest Nov. 9, was put on two years’ probation and given a $250 fine that can be worked off in community service at the rate of $10 an hour.

Moss pleaded guilty after a possible felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor by Dane County Dist. Atty. Bill Foust, who said he was convinced the drug was obtained for personal use, not delivery to anyone else.

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Dana Howard of Illinois, Ted Johnson of Colorado and Ed Stewart of Nebraska are finalists for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s best linebacker. The winner will be announced Dec. 9.