College briefs

Sanctions upheld against Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Ala. The NCAA rejected Alabama’s request that it ease sanctions against the football program on Tuesday.

Alabama sought restoration of six scholarships and its bowl eligibility but the appeals committee upheld all the penalties imposed after the program was cited for illegal recruiting by boosters and other infractions.

The appeals report stated that the penalties were appropriate “because the violations in this case were numerous and particularly egregious.”

“But for the unequivocal cooperation of the university, it’s very clear the death penalty most probably would have been imposed,” said Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips, chairman of the Division I Infractions Appeals Committee.

Interim Alabama President J. Barry Mason said university officials “disagree and are disappointed” with the decision.

UK’s bowl ban stands

Lexington, Ky. An NCAA infractions appeals committee on Tuesday upheld a one-year postseason ban placed on Kentucky’s football program. The ban was one of several sanctions levied against the school in January after internal and NCAA investigations unearthed dozens of recruiting violations. Kentucky appealed the ban in February, claiming that the penalty was too harsh.

Clarett has knee surgery

Columbus, Ohio Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday but still might play Saturday at Cincinnati. Dr. Chris Kaeding, a team doctor, said it was “unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility” that Clarett could play this weekend. Clarett was injured in the first quarter against Washington State last Saturday, coach Jim Tressel said. Despite the injury, Clarett ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns for the sixth-ranked Buckeyes.