nothing inappropriate

Kansas coach Mark Mangino responded Wednesday night to the accusation that he poked senior linebacker Arist Wright in the chest at a recent practice by saying that he has not done anything that`s inappropriate.

"I run this program with a lot of integrity," Mangino said. "I have been in this conference for nearly 20 years, and what I can tell you is that our coaching intensity is not largely different from the rest of the Big Eight and Big 12 teams I`ve observed."

Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins took Wright`s account of the incident seriously enough that he has launched an internal review into Mangino`s treatment of student-athletes. In a meeting Monday night, Perkins invited players to provide further information.

Several former players spoke out Wednesday, including ex-KU running back Jocques Crawford, who transferred to Tennessee Tech because of issues with Mangino.

Crawford said Mangino "stereotyped" players who were from the inner city.

"He would always say things like, `You`re not back home with the homies in the hood,'" Crawford said. "I have to take offense to that. What do you have against guys coming from bad neighborhoods and trying to better themselves by going to college?"

Two other former players, who requested anonymity because of fear of repercussions, also said Mangino made personal attacks.

Kansas` current players still have a game to play on Saturday night at No. 3 Texas and another after that against Missouri.

Mangino was asked if he felt his job was on the line and said he was only concerned about the Longhorns. Then he was asked if he expected to be on the sideline at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

"Well, you bet," Mangino said.

Notable

Star tailback Jahvid Best hopes to return for California`s season finale after being sidelined by a frightening fall and concussion. Best said Wednesday that 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.

Penn State plans 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.

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 wasn`t called during last weekend`s game against LSU. WAC Commissioner Karl Benson announced Boyd`s suspension Wednesday. In a statement, Benson said Boyd should have been ejected from the game after he made a hard hit on LSU wide receiver Chris Tolliver during the third quarter.

Embattled Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has a high-profile alumnus on his side -- Gov. Charlie Crist. The Republican governor said Wednesday the Seminoles coach has been great for the school and the 80-year-old Bowden deserves respect. Some of Bowden`s critics have called on him to retire at the end of the season.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says the process of filing forms that log hours players devote to football was corrected as soon as he learned it wasn`t happening. Rodriguez declined further comment Wednesday because of an ongoing NCAA investigation.

The head of the Black Coaches and Administrators group called Wednesday for more involvement by college presidents in hiring football coaches, a move he said would lead to more minority coaches on the sidelines. Floyd Keith, executive director of the group, believes it`s the best option to make changes quickly.

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.