Tim Jansen released a statement expressing concerns that Meggs has made "extrajudicial statements" about the investigation during media interviews. Jansen accused Meggs of addressing a confidential law enforcement investigation and inferring that witnesses have been affected by "attorneys and collusion."

Jansen added that ,"We respect the immense power Mr. Meggs has in his investigative process and pray that he will objectively analyze the facts as he finds them, refrain from further extrajudicial public comment, and take all necessary steps to ensure that this matter comes to a quick resolution.

"We are confident that if those steps are taken, this cloud will be lifted and Mr. Winston will be full exonerated of any wrongdoing."

When contacted Sunday evening by The Associated Press Meggs said, "I'm not going to respond to him."

The state attorney did say prosecutors are still interested in speaking with Winston, but have not.

"We will certainly ask to talk to him," Meggs said. "We can't make people talk to us. ... We can't make suspects talk."

Meggs told the AP Saturday he is concerned that media attention has focused primarily on Winston, 19, a Heisman Trophy contender for the second-ranked Seminoles.

"We have a female victim here, too, and my job is to make sure that this victim or any victim of a crime has their rights protected," Meggs said. "... Everything is now focused on Winston and what's going to happen to him."


DEL RIO INTERVIEWS AT USC


Jack Del Rio's stock is on soaring less than two years after his firing by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Broncos confirmed Sunday that Del Rio interviewed for the head coaching job at Southern California during Denver's bye week. Fox Sports first reported Del Rio's interview with his alma mater.

USC Athletic Director Pat Haden reached out to Broncos executive vice president John Elway for permission to speak with Denver's defensive coordinator at a time that was convenient for the NFL team.

Del Rio is leading the Super Bowl-or-bust Denver Broncos while John Fox recovers from heart surgery and earlier this month he interviewed for one of the crown jewel jobs in college football — the head coaching gig at his alma mater, Southern California.

Within three months, Del Rio figures to have a spacious office on a college campus or at an NFL complex.

Del Rio was handed a golden opportunity to basically audition for any number of head coaching jobs when Fox landed in a Charlotte, N.C., hospital two weeks ago and his doctors determined he could no longer put off an operation to replace his defective aortic valve that wasn't pumping enough blood throughout his body.

Del Rio was named interim head coach of Broncos 48 hours later and he immediately decided to keep his defensive coordinator duties, as well.

Del Rio, who went 69-72 in 8½ seasons as Jacksonville's head coach from 2003-11, never had a quarterback with the Jaguars like he does in Denver in Peyton Manning.


WSSU GETS PLAYOFF BERTH


Winston-Salem State has received a first-round berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs two days after its CIAA championship game against Virginia State was canceled following an altercation between players from both schools.

The fourth-seeded Rams (9-1) will host fifth-seeded Slippery Rock (9-2) next Saturday.

The Rams were to face Virginia State for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship on Saturday. Winston-Salem State Chancellor Donald Reaves says quarterback Rudy Johnson was "viciously beaten" by Virginia State players in a bathroom during a luncheon Friday before the scheduled championship game.

Forsyth County authorities say Trojans running back Lamont Daniel Britt is charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury.

Late Saturday, the CIAA ruled Virginia State ineligible for postseason play.

Contributors: The Associated Press, Jason O. Boyd