Florida State suspends starting QB

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida State's longest season got a little longer with the suspension of quarterback Chris Rix.
Rix was suspended for the Sugar Bowl because he overslept and missed a final exam.
The move Tuesday leaves the Seminoles without their top two quarterbacks for the Jan. 1 game against Southeastern Conference champion Georgia. Adrian McPherson was kicked off the team last month after being accused of stealing a check.
"It's an academic decision, there's no chance for him to play in the Sugar Bowl," said coach Bobby Bowden, preparing the Seminoles (9-4) for an unprecedented 14th game.
Athletes who fail to take finals are automatically suspended under a rule established after former Seminoles star Deion Sanders played in the 1989 Sugar Bowl despite not taking any final exams.
Walker will start
Bowden said sophomore Fabian Walker would start for the 16th-ranked Seminoles. Matt Henshaw, a backup tight end originally recruited as a quarterback, will be the backup and wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a high school quarterback, would be third string.
Walker played in three games, completing 5 of 8 passes for 74 yards.
"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."