Michigan Suspends 3 Players For Outback Bowl
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Michigan coach Brady Hoke has suspended cornerback J.T. Floyd, punter Will Hagerup and linebacker Brandin Hawthorne for a violation of team rules.
Hoke says in an announcement Sunday that the three players will not travel with the 19th-ranked Wolverines for the Outback Bowl against No. 11 South Carolina because each of them used poor judgment. He didn't specify which team rules were broken.
Floyd is a starting cornerback and Hagerup is the team's top punter. Hawthorne is a backup linebacker.
Hoke says it's an honor to play football for the University of Michigan and there are high standards and expectations for everyone that represents the program.
from freep:
Three Michigan football players will not play in the Outback Bowl due to a violation of team rules.
Senior cornerback J.T. Floyd, junior punter Will Hagerup and senior linebacker Brandin Hawthorne are out for the game, according to an athletic department release.
"It is an honor to play football for the University of Michigan, and we have high standards and expectations for everyone that represents our program," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said in the release. "These young men used poor judgment in each circumstance, and these suspensions are teaching moments for our team." For Floyd and Hawthorne, it ends their careers.
Hagerup has faced previous issues, including a suspension two years ago for the Ohio State game, then the first four games of 2011. Hagerup rebounded this year to be named the Big Ten's best punter and told reporters in Indianapolis after the season that he had learned from his mistakes. Sophomore Matt Wile is likely to take his place for the Outback Bowl as the punter.
For Floyd, missing the final game of his career, against his home state South Carolina squad is a devastating blow. He was U-M's starting cornerback, a spot that will likely be assumed by Courtney Avery.
Michigan moved Dennis Norfleet to cornerback two weeks ago so that may help with the depth issues.
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