Florida State Dismisses McPherson From Team

Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson was dismissed from the team Monday amid reports that police planned to question him in the theft and forgery of a blank check.

Coach Bobby Bowden would not give details of the violation, but said McPherson would remain in school and on scholarship through the end of the semester.

“That’s about all I can say,” Bowden said. “This is kind of new to me too.”

Bowden called his decision to dismiss McPherson “clear cut.”

At the end of Monday’s news conference, sports information director Rob Wilson said the investigation did not involve gambling or point shaving.

No one has been charged in the check forgery, and police would have no further comment until criminal charges are filed, the Tallahassee Police Department said in a statement.

Chris Rix, whom McPherson replaced in late October, will start against Florida on Saturday.

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Utah fired Coach Ron McBride two days after the Utes finished with their second losing record in three seasons.

“I think that as we looked at our program over the last three years that we have not reached the goals that we’ve needed to,” said Athletic Director Chris Hill, who told McBride of his decision during a meeting Monday.

McBride coached Utah for 13 seasons and took the Utes to six of their nine bowl appearances. Even though the Utes won their last three games, including Saturday’s 13-6 victory over Brigham Young, they finished 5-6.

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Verle Sorgen, the Pacific 10 Conference’s coordinator of officials, will review replays today of the final play of Washington’s 29-26 triple-overtime victory over Washington State, a call Cougar Coach Mike Price labeled “an unforgivable mistake.”

Acting on a decision made by line judge Roger McMinn, crew chief Gordon Riese stunned a Saturday night crowd of 37,600 at Washington State’s Martin Stadium when he announced Cougar backup quarterback Matt Kegel was attempting a backward pass when Washington defensive lineman Kai Ellis tipped the ball.

After another official signaled an incomplete pass on the first-down play, Riese’s crew gathered and ruled unranked Washington had recovered a live ball and won the Apple Cup.

Sorgen’s interpretation of the call won’t affect the game’s outcome. If it’s determined the crew made the wrong ruling, their performance will be downgraded. Crews with the best grades are awarded bowl games.

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Taver Johnson, a Miami of Ohio assistant coach who damaged a visiting coaches’ box after a loss at Marshall, was barred from off-season recruiting. Johnson also must pay for the damage to the coaches’ box, forego any pay raise next year and attend anger management counseling at his own expense, the university said.... Nebraska kicker Josh Brown has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.... No. 19 Boise State (11-1) has accepted an invitation to play in the Humanitarian Bowl, which will be played on its home field Dec. 31.... Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers said he is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.