Patterson Gets New Deal

Texas Christian was one of four Mountain West Conference teams to accept bowl bids on Tuesday, but perhaps the biggest development for the Horned Frogs was the announcement of a contract extension for Coach Gary Patterson through 2012.

Patterson has been mentioned as a candidate for the opening at Kansas State. He was born in Larned, Kan., and played at Kansas State in 1980-81. His first coaching job, as a graduate assistant, was with the Wildcats. Patterson is 42-18 as coach.

Texas Christian (10-1) will play in the Houston Bowl on Dec. 31 against an opponent from the Big 12 Conference.

Other Mountain West teams headed for postseason play include Brigham Young, which accepted a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl, Colorado State, which will play Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, and Utah, which will play in the Emerald Bowl.

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The USC-Fresno State game earned a 2.7 national rating on FSN’s regional networks, according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the second-highest rated program in the history of FSN. The only higher rating was a 3.0 for a Nebraska-Kansas State game in 2000.... Bruce Gradkowski threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hopkins in the second overtime to lift Toledo to a 44-41 Mid-American Conference victory over Bowling Green at Bowling Green, Ohio. The Rockets are 8-3 and 6-2 in conference. The Falcons dropped to 6-5, 5-3.... Junior Josh Swogger, who lost his job as starting quarterback at Washington State to Alex Brink, will transfer to a Division I-AA school, the Kitsap (Wash.) Sun reported Monday.

Texas A&M; quarterback Reggie McNeal, who is slowed because of a sprained left ankle, plans to play Friday against Texas.... Embattled San Diego State Coach Tom Craft will have to wait until after the season finale at Hawaii on Dec. 3 to find out if he’ll be back with the Aztecs next season.

Minnesota center Greg Eslinger, Auburn offensive tackle Marcus McNeill and Oregon defensive tackle Haloti Ngata are the finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman.... A judge has dismissed claims of slander and libel filed against Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer over statements he made to NCAA officials investigating recruiting violations at Alabama.