Scandal snags Florida State

An academic cheating scandal could leave Florida State without as many as 25 players for its Music City Bowl game against Kentucky on New Year’s Eve, Coach Bobby Bowden said Tuesday.

“We have some players not traveling for one reason and some for another, including those who are ineligible for the bowl because of academic issues,” Bowden said in a statement released by the university.

Many of the players who won’t be going to Nashville could also be ruled ineligible for some games next season for their connection to a cheating scandal earlier this year.

Federal privacy laws prohibit the school from releasing names.

West Virginia defended itself against complaints from wealthy boosters who are furious about the administration’s failure to offer Rich Rodriguez a deal to remain coach of the Mountaineers.

“Making donations to a public university does not entitle anyone to dictate policy or personnel,” said attorney Stephen Goodwin, chairman of West Virginia’s Board of Governors.

Boise State Coach Chris Petersen announced that wide receiver Jeremy Childs will miss Sunday’s Hawaii Bowl for violating team rules. . . . New Mexico running back Rodney Ferguson won’t play in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday after being declared academically ineligible. . . . Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was named the Associated Press player of the year.