Twelve Tar Heels ineligible for opener against LSU
Twelve North Carolina players, including six key starters, have been ruled ineligible for the opening game of the season against no. 21 LSU Saturday night. Three more have not been cleared to play.
The university announced on Friday that the players were declared ineligible for “violating school and/or NCAA rules.”
Defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerbacks Charles Brown and Kendric Burney, defensive ends Michael McAdoo and Robert Quinn, and wide receiver Greg Little are the stars who will miss the contest. The other players who will miss the game are running back Shaun Draughn, safety Brian Gupton, running back Ryan Houstan, defensive back Da'Norris Searcy, safety Jonathan Smith and defensive end Linwan Uewell.
Three other defensive stars, Quan Sturdivant, Bruce Carter and Deunta Williams, are not traveling with the team to Atlanta. There is still a chance they get cleared in time to play. They are awaiting their clearance in Chapel Hill, and if cleared in time would fly to Atlanta.
The timetable for the players to return has not been announced.
North Carolina, who has received plenty of praise during the pre-season for their defence, will have to handle a talented LSU team with mostly their second-string.
The suspensions come after the NCAA investigation as to whether several players received improper benefits and for academic cheating.
"We're obviously very disappointed to learn that the actions of a number of our student-athletes have resulted in their being unable to compete in Saturday's game," athletic director d**k Baddour said in a prepared statement. "It is important to note again that people should not make assumptions as to the nature of each student-athlete's involvement with these issues."
Carolina will face Georgia Tech, East Carolina and Rutgers after LSU.
"As I've said, there is no single game more important than the character and integrity of this university," North Carolina coach Butch Davis said in the release. "We are disappointed the players' choices have denied them the opportunity to compete alongside their teammates and represent the University of North Carolina."
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