Three Boilermakers Are Ruled Ineligible

Three Purdue players have been ruled academically ineligible for the Capital One Bowl, including starting cornerback Jacques Reeves.

Reeves is fourth on the team with 64 tackles and also has two interceptions.

The other two players the school ruled ineligible -- defensive tackle Dontrey Flemings and offensive lineman Nick Pilipauskis -- have played sparingly.

Purdue (9-3) plays Georgia (10-3) on Thursday in Orlando, Fla.

Georgia receiver Michael Johnson and cornerback Kenny Bailey were ruled academically ineligible for the game on Dec. 19.

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Bowling Green will extend Coach Gregg Brandon’s contract two years through the 2008 season, the school said.

The announcement came a day after the Falcons’ 28-24 comeback victory over Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl.

Contract terms were to be finalized when Brandon and Athletic Director Paul Krebs return from holiday vacations.

Brandon, Bowling Green’s offensive coordinator for two seasons, was promoted a year ago, one week after Urban Meyer left for Utah.

Bowling Green (11-3) tied the school record for wins this season and won the Mid-American Conference West division.

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All-American offensive tackle Alex Barron and safety B.J. Ward will not start for Florida State on Thursday against Miami in the Orange Bowl after missing practices because of family emergencies, Coach Bobby Bowden said. Freshman Mario Henderson will start at tackle and sophomore Pat Watkins will start at free safety.

Robbie Caldwell, who was recently hired as offensive line coach at South Carolina, will return to his old position at Vanderbilt.... A clause in the Hawaii Bowl contract that guarantees Hawaii a spot in the game as long as it meets bowl qualifications and does not want to play in another game will be extended “for the foreseeable future,” according to Jim Donovan, the game’s executive director.

Washington State defensive tackle Josh Shavies broke a bone in his left hand and re-injured a sprained joint on his right thumb, making him doubtful for Tuesday night’s Holiday Bowl. Reserve defensive back Don Turner fractured a finger on his right hand and also is doubtful.