Bowden Is Looking to Move Past Bryant

The race is on for No. 1 in college football, and that goes for a coaching icon too.

Florida State’s Bobby Bowden is tied with Bear Bryant for second in all-time victories among Division I-A coaches.

Bowden will have a chance to break that tie tonight and move a step closer to the leader, Penn State’s Joe Paterno, when the third-ranked Seminoles play Iowa State in the Eddie Robinson Classic in Kansas City, Mo.

Bowden, in his 27th year at Florida State and 37th overall, has 323 victories. Paterno, whose team opens Aug. 31 against Central Florida, has 327.

Interestingly, Bowden resumes the chase in a game named after the man who has more victories than any coach at any level. Robinson won 408 games at Grambling.

Florida State is trying to bounce back from an 8-4 record in 2001, its worst season since 1986. The Seminole defense gave up 49 points to Miami, 41 to North Carolina, 37 to Florida and 34 to North Carolina State.

Florida State will have to contain Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace, who finished second in the Big 12 Conference in offense last season.

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Nebraska is in the unfamiliar position of looking for respect.

The Cornhuskers’ No. 10 ranking is their lowest to start a season since they were 11th in 1992.

They begin their quest today against Arizona State in the Black Coaches Assn. Classic at Lincoln, Neb.

Jammal Lord, who replaces Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch, gets his first start at quarterback.

This is the first game between Nebraska and Arizona State since the Sun Devils stunned the Cornhuskers, 19-0, in 1996.

Arizona State is coming off a 4-7 season.

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Look for Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury to challenge the Ohio State secondary in the Pigskin Classic at Columbus, Ohio.

“Plan A is throw it. Plan B is throw it,” Kingsbury said. “That’s about how we operate around here.”

With a size advantage on the line, the Buckeyes are expected to run the ball. Ohio State has 14 freshmen and eight sophomores listed on its two-deep lineup.

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The number of black head coaches at major college programs declined over the last six years, according to a study released by the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee. In 1995-96, black head coaches made up 5% of Division I-A programs. This year only 2% of coaches are black.... Pittsburgh freshman running back Jawan Walker tore his left medial collateral ligament and partially tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a scrimmage and is out indefinitely.