Tide star's suspension investigated

The Alabama attorney general's office is reviewing reports of alleged contact between Crimson Tide offensive tackle Andre Smith and a sports agent after the All-America was suspended from the Sugar Bowl.

The attorney general's office began reviewing the situation yesterday to see if a full investigation is warranted, spokesman Chris Bence said.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban suspended the Outland Trophy winner on Monday for violation of unspecified team rules, but several media outlets reported that the punishment stemmed from improper dealings with an agent.

NCAA rules prohibit players from having contact with agents.

"The attorney general's office has been active in prosecuting sports agent violations," Bence said. "It's a felony. That's a serious law."

Saban sent Smith home to Birmingham on Monday and issued a statement saying "we will do all we can as an institution to support him in all future endeavors."

No. 4 Alabama plays No. 7 Utah on Friday night in New Orleans.

Smith has been projected as a high first-round NFL draft pick if he skips his senior season.

The Alabama Uniform Athlete Agents Act requires sports agents to register in Alabama and prohibits them from giving anything of value directly or indirectly to a student athlete. The law also requires sports agents to notify university officials if a contract has been made with an athlete.

The state has prosecuted 10 cases involving violation of the law and most of them have resulted in convictions, the AG's office said.

* Quarterback Robert Marve, whose season at Miami included two suspensions, will leave the university, ending weeks of speculation about his future. His second suspension kept him out of the Emerald Bowl.

Under the conditions of his release, he will not be able to play for teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Southeastern Conference or the state of Florida.

He drew a one-game suspension to start this season because he was arrested on two misdemeanor charges related to vandalism on Oct. 31, 2007. The second suspension was for missing an English class for the fourth time this past semester.

* Auburn defensive lineman Sen'Derrick Marks is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

* Florida's Percy Harvin ran routes and caught passes, his most work since spraining his right ankle last month against Florida State. Coach Urban Meyer said he is probable for next week's Bowl Championship Series national title game against No. 2 Oklahoma. Also, Meyer said running back Kestahn Moore should be able to play.

* Oregon State coach Mike Riley agreed to a 1-year contract extension that will take him through the 2015 season. Riley has taken Oregon State to three straight bowl games, including the Sun Bowl today against Pittsburgh.

* UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker was hired as New Mexico State's new head coach. He will replace Hal Mumme, who was fired in December after the Aggies went 3-9 last fall.

* Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit agreed to a new, 5-year contract.

* Holiday Bowl: At San Diego, Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ran through and over Oklahoma State's defense for three touchdowns and threw for another to lead the No. 15 Ducks, 42-31, win over the No. 13 Cowboys. Masoli gained 106 yards on 16 carries and threw for 258 yards.

* Humanitarian Bowl: At Boise, Idaho, Da'Rel Scott, benched for 2 1/2 quarters after breaking curfew, ran for 174 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in 14 carries and Maryland (8-5) held off Nevada, 42-35.

* Texas Bowl: At Houston, Chase Clement was 30-for-44 for 307 yards and three TD passes as Rice (10-3) walloped Western Michigan, 38-14. *