UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

North Carolina

UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

Sep 3, 2010

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More than a dozen players from the University of North Carolina football team did not board the bus Friday morning, left behind as their teammates head to Atlanta for the first game of the season.

The university declared six players ineligible for Saturday's game: defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.

An additional six players won't play while their eligibility is in question. They are: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.

The Tar Heels take on LSU in a nationally televised game Saturday at 8 p.m. from the Georgia Dome.

Anticipation of the on-field action has taken a back seat in recent days to speculation about which players would even suit up amid the specter of dueling investigations into alleged inappropriate contact between agents and players and possible academic infractions by team members who worked with a tutor.

A team source said Friday morning that players were sitting in their sweats, waiting to be told whether they'd make the trip or not.

The eligibility of an additional three players was still in question at the time of the team's departure. The three players linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter and safety Deunta Williams did not get on the bus, UNC's director of football communications Kevin Best said.

The university was actively working with the NCAA on their status and planned to make an announcement later when a decision on their status for the game is reached.

The NCAA said any players who are ultimately subject to punishment can count the games they sit out against a total suspension.

Best said the number of players involved, and those whose eligibility is in question, fluctuates constantly.

The NCAA initiated a probe in July to look at whether two players received improper benefits from agents. In the course of those interviews, information about the possible academic violations came to light, and the university has taken the lead on that angle.

The No. 18 Tar Heels looked ready to contend for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and had locked up a high-profile opener against the No. 21 Tigers this weekend.

But all anyone is talking about is the probe.

Coach Butch Davis suspended defensive tackle Marvin Austin indefinitely on Wednesday for a violation of team rules he said was not connected to the NCAA probe. Austin and receiver Greg Little are the players most closely linked to that investigation.

Davis said the investigations clearly colored his list of who would play.

"If there is any indication that anybody is not going to be allowed to play in the game then they won't travel," Davis said.

Davis said the school likely will not release a depth chart until Saturday as, "it is conceivable we will not know who can play until Saturday afternoon."

Web Editor: Jodi Leese Glusco

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RE: UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

TBK. I have 5 family members who are UNC graduates and two ECU graduates that act like they graduated from UNC (only wear UNC garb.) I have tolerated all of the things you listed as reasons to pull against UNC. However, I will always be an ACC fan first when playing a team out of conference. It takes the fun out of their taunts when I don't react and don't lower myself to their standards. It is just my way of living the way I was taught to represent my school and self as an adult.

RE: UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

Florida Gator Nation I have NO doubt that you are a Holes fan hiding behind that name. I know a lot of fans of other conferences and none of them, especially SEC fans, give a flying fig about the Holes or NCSU for that matter.. no SEC fans would hate the Pack that much. They wouldn't waste their time. Why don't you show your baby blue allegience and get it over with?
- Posted by packandcanesfan

I'm not a Tarheel fan or a Duke fan, sorry.

NC ST "fans" busted my ballz for being a Florida Gator graduate & fan and Tebow leaving and the Gators were lucky to beat NC ST last year in hoops, blah, blah, blah ...

So, I unleashed some fury on NC ST WOLFPACK "fans", put them in their place, told them NC ST belongs in CONFERENCE USA [which they do] ... Quite simply, NC ST does not compete on the same level as Florida in football or basketball.

NC ST "fans",

Please show some sign of intelligence. I understand you want to be able to compete with DUKE & UNC in hoops, but you can't. I understand you want to be a big-boy D-I football school, but you're not.

You're just plain ol', mediocre NC ST.

Have a great day!

CHOMP - CHOMP

RE: UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

who has to be a powerhouse when you're facing a team missing it's starting secondary and other major defensive positions. It's lacking it's running backs and top receiver. No matter what - LSU is playing UNC's JV squad in primetime.
- Posted by corey3rd
See new article, Carter and Sturdivant will play!! Now then beeeech!!!!
- Posted by backnblack1969

You have some of the most pointless statements on this post! Seriously... 2 player are going to be the difference? Good luck with the game but I dont see these to player who are coming late to the game doing that much for the team.

RE: UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

because he can throw on the run, more athletic and yates cant.... if the
offensive line can protect yates i think he`ll be ok, if not, we`ll need
someone who can play on the run lol sounds like what Renner can do, we`ll see

RE: UNC players, under cloud, won't make trip to Atlanta

ESPN Game Day announcers already saying that Yates will get roughed up by LSU defense and Renner will shine and make a name for himself tonight. Any UNC fans here want to jump in? Who is this Renner kid? Is he that good? Redshirt Freshman?
- Posted by tommybrownnc

yeah, i was kinda surprised hearing desmond say that, i would like
to see yates have a great game, but if not, i`ll take desmond prediction.
sure did hype Renner up though, didnt he?...
- Posted by Rdi73162

If they're so sure Yates will get roughed up tonight, what makes them think Renner WON'T get roughed up, as well?

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