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Chris Rix ineligible for Sugar Bowl Posted: Tuesday December 17, 2002 3:45 PMUpdated: Wednesday December 18, 2002 1:42 AM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida State quarterback Chris Rix was suspended for the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday because he overslept and missed a final exam. The move leaves the Seminoles without their top two quarterbacks for the Jan. 1 game against Southeastern Conference champion Georgia. Backup Adrian McPherson was kicked off the team last month after being accused of stealing a check. Rix slept through a religion exam, an automatic suspension under a rule established after former Seminoles star Deion Sanders played in the 1989 Sugar Bowl despite not taking any final exams. "It's an academic decision, there's no chance for him to play in the Sugar Bowl," coach Bobby Bowden said. Rix, a sophomore, said he overslept because of a "personal family issue, which was weighing heavily on me." He did not elaborate. "I apologize to my teammates, coaches and the fans as this is a difficult price to pay," he said in a statement released by the school. "I'm in good academic standing and am on track to graduate on time." Bowden said sophomore Fabian Walker from Americus, Ga., would start when the Seminoles (9-4) play the Bulldogs (12-1). Matt Henshaw becomes No. 2 and wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a high school quarterback, would be third string.
"It's been a long road, but every time something comes up it seems to have a positive outcome to it," Walker said. "I would not wish this on anybody, but I'm looking forward to just playing this game." Rix has had a tough year. Last season, he set an Atlantic Coast Conference record for freshmen in total offense, but he lost his job after seven games this season. After McPherson was dismissed, Rix led Florida State to a 31-14 win over Florida on Nov. 30. McPherson was kicked off the team Nov. 25, and he was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges the following week. "We're getting accustomed to this," cornerback Stanford Samuels said. "The last time this made us stronger. We'll just have to respond again." It will mark the second time in five years Florida State will play in a bowl game without its top quarterback. Marcus Outzen played in the 1998 national championship game in place of Chris Weinke, who was out with a neck injury. Eligibility issues have sidelined other stars in recent years. Running back Amp Lee missed the 1992 Cotton Bowl, tailback Rock Preston missed the national title 1997 Sugar Bowl against Florida and All-American wide receiver Marvin "Snoop" Minnis was knocked out of the Oklahoma game for the 2001 national title matchup.
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Bobby Bowden says Fabian Walker could make the most of an unusual opportunity. 
