COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES : Harbaugh is close to extension with Stanford

Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh is close to completing a contract extension with the university.

Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby said Sunday in an e-mail that a formal announcement of a new deal was expected shortly. The two sides were close to announcing an extension after last season, but talks were put on hold in February because of the poor economy.

Harbaugh has done an impressive rebuilding job at Stanford since taking over a one-win team from Walt Harris after the 2006 season.

The Cardinal won four games in Harbaugh’s first season, including big wins over USC and California.

Stanford was 5-7 last year, falling one win shy of a possible bowl bid. The turnaround was completed this year as the Cardinal, 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the Pacific-10 Conference, has moved into the Associated Press rankings for the first time in eight years, at No. 14, and has qualified for its first bowl bid since 2001.

Monroe suspended

Texas freshman kick returner D.J. Monroe has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested on a drunk-driving charge. Monroe was arrested on Interstate 35 hours after Texas’ win over Baylor and taken to the Hays County jail, said Lt. Leroy Opiela of the Hays County Sheriff’s office.

East Carolina rolls

Dominique Lindsay ran for a career-high 172 yards, Darryl Freeney had a career-best 152 yards receiving and East Carolina maintained its lead in Conference USA’s East Division with a 44-17 victory over Tulsa in Oklahoma.

The Pirates improved to 6-4 overall and 5-1 in conference. Tulsa is 4-6 and 2-4.