COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Osborne Rescinds Ban on School Paper

Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne first banned reporters from the student newspaper from practice because of two critical cartoons, then rescinded the ban.

He vowed instead to decline interviews with the paper.

Osborne declared the ban for Daily Nebraskan reporters after the cartoons were published last week. Osborne, who called the cartoons inappropriate, said: “Attending our practices is a privilege, not a right.”

Osborne replaced the ban with stricter rules for all reporters.

The first cartoon showed a caricature of receiver Riley Washington practicing in a prison jumpsuit and a ball and chain while four other players watched.

Washington is charged with attempted second-degree murder in a shooting Aug. 2 at a Lincoln convenience store. He has practiced with the team since late last month.

The other cartoon depicted running back Lawrence Phillips driving a car with dollar bills blowing out of the back. “Phillips” is on the license plate.

The NCAA is reviewing the relationship between Phillips, a junior from West Covina, and owners of the group home where he lived as a teen-ager. The owners have said they leased a 1995 Mustang convertible for Phillips and provided him with other benefits.

In withdrawing the ban, Osborne may have cut off a possible legal challenge.

*

Troy Crayton, a highly recruited prep defensive back from Oceanside who redshirted at Nebraska last fall, has transferred to Washington State.