Wisconsin’s Davis Suspended for Sun Bowl

Wisconsin receiver and kick returner Nick Davis was suspended for the Sun Bowl after pleading guilty to stealing a television from an electronics store.

After entering into a plea agreement with prosecutors, Davis was found guilty of misdemeanor retail theft in Dane County Circuit Court in Madison, Wis., and placed on probation for two years. He also must pay a $3,800 fine, according to Dane County District Attorney Brian Brophy.

Davis, 21, was originally charged Monday with felony retail theft after a friend allegedly helped him steal a $4,000 television from Best Buy. That charge carries a possible $10,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison.

Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez said Davis, a junior, will remain on scholarship and will continue to play for the Badgers.

In a statement released Friday evening, Alvarez said he felt it was “appropriate” to suspend Davis for the Sun Bowl against UCLA.

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Colorado gave Coach Gary Barnett a two-year contract extension through 2006. Barnett’s salary of approximately $720,000 a year will remain the same. . . . Gary Patterson, Texas Christian’s defensive coordinator the past three seasons, was named coach of the Horned Frogs. Patterson’s appointment comes a week after Dennis Franchione accepted an offer to become Alabama’s coach. . . . Florida State assistant Mark Richt and former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer have interviewed for the coaching job at North Carolina, according to a university official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. North Carolina officials have also interviewed New Orleans Saint linebackers coach John Bunting and Western Michigan Coach Gary Darnell.

Except for Paul Arnold, a sophomore who began the season as the Huskies’ starting tailback, the Washington Huskies expect to have their injured players back for the Rose Bowl. Arnold, who missed the final four games because of a sore back, is questionable. Washington’s Curtis Williams, who has not moved since sustaining a spinal cord injury during an Oct. 28 against Stanford, might be able to watch in person when the Huskies play in the Rose Bowl. Williams, a safety from Fresno, began using a wheelchair at a rehabilitation center two weeks ago. . . . Dan Morgan, the Miami Hurricanes’ all-time leading tackler, won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. . . . Adam Daily, a fullback at Arkansas, has a spinal cord problem that will keep him out of the Las Vegas Bowl and could end his career. . . . Dusty Bonner of Valdosta State was named winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, giving to the best player in Division II. Bonner, a junior, transferred to Valdosta State after he lost his starting job last summer at Kentucky. He set a Division II single-season record with 54 touchdown passes.