|
|
Watson suspended for violating policy
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Derek Watson, South Carolina's first 1,000-yard rusher in four years, will sit out the Outback Bowl because of a violation of team policy.
Coach Lou Holtz would not say what rules Watson broke.
"It's unfortunate that Derek chose not to abide by the standards that our players must uphold," Holtz said in a statement Saturday. "But he will be held accountable for his actions."
The Gamecocks (7-4) will face Ohio State (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 19 AP) in the Jan. 1 game in Tampa, Fla.
Watson, South Carolina's high school Mr. Football in 1998, missed several practices and the team's Fan Appreciation Day on Dec. 3. Watson and team officials said the absence was because of a death in the family.
Then this week, Watson was unhurt in a car wreck that occurred
while he was driving teammate Teddy Crawford's car at 3 a.m.
Thursday. Watson said a blown tire caused the accident. The police
report said Watson was ticketed for driving too fast and driving
with a suspended license.
Columbia Police Chief Charles Austin has said Watson's
suspension was for not paying a traffic ticket.
The police report said that Watson wasn't thought to be intoxicated. Damage to Crawford's car was estimated at $15,000.
Watson talked with reporters this week and said he was likely
going to stay in Columbia for Christmas instead of returning home
to Williamston. "I'm going to stay here because I tend to get in
trouble when I go home," he said.
Watson led South Carolina with 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns. He topped the Southeastern Conference in all purpose yards at almost 167 yards a game.
It's not the first time Holtz has taken action against key
players before a big bowl game.
Just days before coaching Arkansas in the 1977 Orange Bowl, Holtz suspended running backs Ben Cowins and Michael Forrest, and wide receiver Donny Bobo -- who accounted for more than 70 percent of the Razorbacks' offense -- for a dormitory incident involving a woman.
Despite poor odds, Holtz and the Hogs beat top-ranked Oklahoma 31-6.
"Lou came in and made the hard decisions and it virtually won
the game for them," said former Baylor head coach Grant Teaff, now
executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.
"Players know where the trouble is. If a coach comes in and does
what's best for the team, they understand that."
And Holtz realizes what Watson means to his team, playing in a
bowl game a season after going 0-11.
"It saddens me that Derek will not play in this game," Holtz
said. "His performance this season is a big reason why our team
was in a position to be selected to play in the Outback Bowl. I
hope he will be with us in the future, but that will have to be
decided by Derek."
|
|
|
|
|
