Headlinin’: Fiesta Bowl asks politicians for its money back, please

Making the morning rounds.

? You kept those receipts, right? Politicians who have accepted thousands of dollars' worth of airfare, lodging, meals and game tickets on the Fiesta Bowl's dime are due to receive invoices soon asking them to fully reimburse the bowl for certain expenses, as the Fiesta shifts into full-on damage-control mode in the wake of the corruption scandal that threatens�its legal nonprofit status, its place in the BCS rotation and possibly its existence, period.

Ousted bowl CEO John Junker, who apparently built a 21-year career largely on wining and dining influential friends, has admitted that junkets and fundraisers were explicitly intended to curry favor with power brokers. At least one politician ? Scottsdale, Ariz., Mayor Jim Lane ?�has already reimbursed the bowl for a 2009 fundraiser it held on his behalf. [Arizona Republic]

? It's worth a shot. Not a scholarship, but a shot. Tennessee hoops player Melvin Goins, who averaged eight points per game and led the team in assists and steals as a starting point guard in 2010-11, is working out with the football team, now that his hardwood eligibility has expired. Goins is trying his hand at cornerback and safety, but coach Derek Dooley said he still sees him "as a point guard" for now: "I can tell you, when we play three-on-three, he's on my team." Dooley said. "We're going to be good when we get into the offseason three-on-three hoops tournament." After four years of basketball, Goins would need a waiver from the NCAA to play this fall, anyway. [Associated Press]

? The Rap Sheet. Boise State defensive tackle John Nisby, a key reserve in the Broncos' rotation on the line, was cited for misdemeanor battery after allegedly choking a familiar nemesis at a downtown bar on April 3. Nisby was reportedly separated from the victim by bystanders, and police issued a ticket after being alerted by the victim later that day. Boise State officials said they're aware of the charge but haven't announced a formal response; Nisby hasn't participated in spring practice because (according to the Idaho Statesman) coach Chris Petersen "wanted him to focus on his responsibilities off the field." So… not so good on that front. [Idaho Statesman]

Elsewhere, Michigan State state tight end Brian Linthicum, one of two Spartans charged for allegedly assaulting an Englishman at a bar in Aspen, Colo., last month, has been sentenced to 12 months probation and 40 hours of public service in Colorado. [The State News]

? 38 Special. Injured linebacker D.T. Shackelford was named Thursday as the first junior to win Ole Miss' Chucky Mullins Courage Award ? and the traditional No. 38 jersey that goes with it ?�even though Shackelford is likely out for the entire 2011 season with a knee injury he suffered earlier this week. The Mullins Award is named for the former Rebel safety who was paralyzed while making a tackle in a 1989 game against Vanderbilt and later died from his injuries. Last year's winner, Kentrell Lockett, also spent most of the season on the sideline after tearing his ACL in September. [Clarion-Ledger]

? A work in progress. Lane Kiffin dubbed USC's injury-plagued offensive line as the "No. 1 question by far on our team" after Thursday's practice, essentially declaring every position except Matt Kalil's left tackle spot up for grabs. "None of those guys have performed like starters would need to for us, outside of Matt," Kiffin said. "Just a long ways away from the whole package. This offseason will be big for them, and obviously this fall, that will be the No. 1 question by far on our team." [Orange County Register]

Quickly… NBC is also in the running for the apparently coveted Pac-12 television contract. … The NCAA may be inadvertently creating an active postgraduate transfer market. … Barrett Jones may be sticking as Alabama's new left tackle. … Bronco Mendenhall calls this spring the best of his seven spring sessions at BYU. … Nebraska fans are looking forward to a glimpse at another quarterback candidate in Saturday's spring game. … The graven images of Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson are already in Auburn. … Justin Blackmon remains Justin Blackmon. … JayPa snaps a shot of Penn State's bold new uniform change. … Texas A&M could probably use another set of eyes on its recruiting letters before they go out in the mail. … And I never knew Florida State girls were so smart.

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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

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