Clarett Practices but Won’t Play

Maurice Clarett of Ohio State practiced Tuesday while university officials worked on a response to the NCAA’s allegations of financial misdeeds by the star running back.

But Clarett, who is serving a multigame suspension for his role in an exaggerated car-theft report, will not be in uniform for the defending national champion and No. 2-ranked Buckeyes’ opener Saturday against No. 17 Washington.

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Mississippi State Coach Jackie Sherrill is miffed that Nike has provided Oregon with experimental vests the Ducks might use Saturday night to help stay cool when they play the Bulldogs in what figure to be warm and humid conditions at Starkville, Miss.

Sherrill said Mississippi State, which also has a contract with Nike, wasn’t offered the equipment until he asked about it. Sherrill said the vests were being shipped to Starkville but would not arrive until Friday, which he said would be too late for the players to become accustomed to them.

Phil Knight, chief executive and co-founder of Oregon-based Nike, is an Oregon alumnus and a major supporter of the school’s athletic program.

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Florida State administrators will not be charged with any wrongdoing for allegedly tampering with a rape trial that involved two of the school’s athletes, State Atty. Willie Meggs said.

Football player Travis Johnson was acquitted Aug. 14 of the charge of raping a woman Feb. 6.

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Penn State football player Anwar Phillips was acquitted of sexual assault charges involving another student.

In December, Phillips was expelled from the university for two semesters.