COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Auburn Charged With Rules Violations

The NCAA officially accused Auburn’s football program of major rules violations Thursday, including improper payments from coaches and boosters.

The NCAA’s letter of inquiry included an allegation that Coach Pat Dye was aware of problems and didn’t act on them.

Football is Auburn’s third sport to run into trouble with the NCAA during Dye’s tenure as athletic director and football coach. In November 1991, the NCAA put men’s basketball and tennis on probation for two years for rules violations.

Dye, replaced as athletic director earlier this year, has coached Auburn’s football team since 1981, leading the Tigers to the Southeastern Conference championship four times during the 1980s.

Auburn President William Muse said during a news conference that it was inappropriate to say whether he still supported Dye. But Dye’s replacement as athletic director, Mike Lude, said he supports the coach.

Dye said he would not resign, and referred questions about the NCAA allegations to Muse. Auburn players remained supportive of Dye.

Muse would not release the NCAA’s letter, nor identify the officials named in it. But he said it contained nine accusations that he described as “major,” including cash payments to student-athletes.

Auburn would get at least two years of probation if found guilty of any major violation, an NCAA spokesman said.

Kitt Rawlings and Tom Randolph blocked Iowa State’s first two punts and Eric Gallon rushed for 164 yards as Kansas State defeated the Cyclones, 22-13, Thursday night at Manhattan, Kan. The Wildcats are 4-4, 1-3 in the Big Eight Conference. Iowa State is 3-6 and 1-4.

The Southwest Conference issued a public reprimand to Baylor Coach Grant Teaff for comments he made regarding the officiating in the Bears’ 19-13 loss to Texas A&M; at College Station on Oct. 24.