Embattled Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has one important alum on his side — Gov. Charlie Crist.
Bowden, who has heard calls for him to retire at the end of the season, and Crist appeared together Wednesday at a news conference promoting the National Child Identification Program created by the American Football Coaches Association.
Although Bowden’s 387 wins are second to Penn State’s Joe Paterno among major college coaches, some prominent Florida State supporters have called for the 80-year-old coach to retire at the end of the year following a mediocre season.
Not Crist.
The Florida governor said Bowden has been great for Florida State, the state itself and college football and should keep coaching.
The Seminoles are 5-5 this season with two regular-season games remaining.
MIAMI — Wide receiver Thearon Collier and defensive back Sam Shields could miss the Hurricanes’ final two regular season games with injuries.
Collier sprained his ankle in Saturday’s loss to North Carolina and hasn’t practiced since. Shields has a groin injury, the severity of which was undisclosed. Defensive end Eric Moncur also remains sidelined with a foot and calf problem, though he has the option of playing.
Miami will update the status of both players Thursday in its weekly injury release.
PENN ST. — The Nittany Lions plan to adjust its season-ticket pricing guidelines in 2011 to account for where people sit in Beaver Stadium.
Some fans might have to fork over more money to the booster club to stay in their seats, or can pay the same amount but possibly be moved to a less desirable location — say someone going from seats on the 40 to behind the end zone.
Other season-ticket holders could be just fine — again, depending on if their donation to the Nittany Lion Club is commensurate to where they want to sit.
The actual price of the tickets, currently $55, wouldn’t change under the plan to be officially unveiled in a letter to season-ticket holders in the next week, said Greg Myford, Penn State’s associate athletic director for business relations and communications.
CALIFORNIA — Star tailback Jahvid Best hopes to return for the Golden Bears season finale after being sidelined by a frightening fall and concussion.
Best said the symptoms from the concussion have cleared but he still has a sore back. Best has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against No. 14 Stanford but hopes to be able to return to the field Dec. 5 against Washington.
TENNESSEE — Coach Lane Kiffin says a freshman cited for shoplifting was punished internally.
Defensive back Nyshier Oliver was cited after being spotted allegedly concealing a $110 polo shirt from Dillards in a shopping bag on Nov. 7. He did not dress for that day’s game against Memphis and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 23.
LOUISIANA TECH — Defensive back Chad Boyd has been given a half-game suspension for what Western Athletic Conference officials say was a flagrant foul that didn’t get called during last weekend’s LSU game.
Boyd will be suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game at Fresno State.
AUBURN — A student is suing Tigers running back Eric Smith for injuries allegedly sustained during a fight.
The suit filed by Decari Jenkins in U.S. District Court in Montgomery says that Smith and two unnamed Auburn players assaulted him and a friend in August.
KENTUCKY — The Wildcats could be without their most potent offensive weapon when Kentucky travel to Georgia on Saturday.
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said wide receiver/quarterback Randall Cobb is questionable at best for the showdown with the Bulldogs because of a bruised shoulder. Cobb did not finish practice on Wednesday and there’s a chance even if Cobb does play he would be limited.
JOHNNY UNITAS AWARD — Oklahoma State senior Zac Robinson is among five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented to college football’s top senior quarterback.
Joining Robinson on the list of finalists released Wednesday are Colt McCoy of Texas, Tim Tebow of Florida, Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan and Thaddeus Lewis of Duke.
SMU — Former Hawaii coach June Jones is hoping his new team can return to the islands for the Hawaii Bowl.
Southern Methodist University is already bowl-eligible with a 6-4 record, and they could end up facing Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.
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