SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Boise State coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him at the school through 2014.

Boise State did not disclose financial terms of Petersen's new contract, announced at Fiesta Bowl media day yesterday, and athletic director Gene Bleymaier said details were being completed. The deal must be approved by the state board of education.

Petersen is 48-4 in four seasons at Boise State and has led the sixth-ranked Broncos (13-0) to the Fiesta Bowl twice.

Boise State meets No. 3 Texas Christian (12-0) Monday night in Glendale.

"I'm blessed to be here and appreciative," Petersen said at a news conference at a resort hotel.

Petersen signed a five-year, $4.25 million contract after the Broncos' first Fiesta Bowl appearance, in January 2007.

Bleymaier said the new agreement was reached a week ago, but officials decided to time the announcement for maximum publicity, with the Broncos basking in the BCS spotlight.

"We finalized it a week ago and decided now would be a good time, a good way to start the new year," Bleymaier said. "We would like to think that coach Petersen will be with us at Boise State throughout his career in coaching."

Petersen was asked if the contract included specific clauses allowing him and his staff to leave.

"I think that goes without saying if you don't win enough games," Petersen said, chuckling.

Bleymaier said the deal includes "the usual clauses."

President Dr. Robert Kustra attended the news conference and said keeping Petersen on campus was a high priority for his administration.

"He's done an outstanding job at Boise State, one of the finest football coaches in the nation," Kustra said. "He has shared values, the kind of values we all believe in and respect."

COTTON BOWL

OKLAHOMA STATE CB COX WON'T PLAY

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said cornerback Perrish Cox will not play in the Cotton Bowl against Mississippi today in Dallas.

The coach sayid Cox violated team rules. The announcement came from the school yesterday.

Cox is one of the team's top defensive players and a second-team All-American.

The 21st-ranked Cowboys play the Rebels in the first Cotton Bowl at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

LIBERTY BOWL

TWO EAST CAROLINA PLAYERS SUSPENDED

East Carolina has suspended running back Jonathan Williams and defensive back Leonard Paulk for today's Liberty Bowl against Arkansas in Memphis, Tenn.

Coach Skip Holtz announced the suspensions yesterday, saying they stemmed from an "incident" the previous day. He didn't elaborate other than to say "both players were equally wrong."

Arkansas suspended three players Thursday for violating team rules.