Warrick, Coles Return to Practice

Florida State receivers Peter Warrick and Laveranues Coles returned to practice Tuesday while authorities tried to wrap up their investigation into a $244 retail theft at a Tallahassee, Fla., shopping mall.

Scott Hunt, spokesman for the Tallahassee police department, said the two players “are going to be witnesses or suspects.” Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs said he did not expect a decision until at least Thursday.

“I don’t like distractions,” Coach Bobby Bowden said. However, he wouldn’t speculate on what action, if any, he might take against the players.

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Rod Shoate, whose speed and strength as an Oklahoma linebacker earned him two All-American selections during the 1970s, was found dead by his sister in his apartment in Spiro, Okla. He was 46.

Spiro Police Chief Darrell Barham said a medical doctor determined Shoate, who had an off-and-on struggle with drug abuse, died of natural causes and cited medical reasons in the death certificate. He declined to elaborate.

Shoate’s family issued a statement saying he died of a long-term illness.

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Doctors delayed knee replacement surgery for Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez after discovering an infection in his severely arthritic right knee in Rochester, Minn. Doctors said the infection would be treated and no date has been set for the replacement surgery. Alvarez, 52, will remain hospitalized and will not attend Saturday’s game against No. 25 Minnesota.