Three Razorbacks suspended from Liberty Bowl
Two Hogs end careers as seniors because of suspension
Junior receiver Marques Wade, senior safety Matt Harris and senior linebacker Wendel Davis.
Originally published December 31, 2009 at 2:15 p.m., updated December 31, 2009 at 6:19 p.m.
MEMPHIS — Three Arkansas players, including two consistent starters on defense, will not play in the Liberty Bowl after violating team rules.
The suspensions also end the collegiate careers of two of the players involved.
Senior linebacker Wendel Davis, senior safety Matt Harris and junior receiver Marques Wade were the players suspended. The players arrived on time for curfew Wednesday at The Peadbody hotel in Memphis, but left after rooms were checked at some point later in the night, according to a source close to the situation. An official explanation for the suspensions was not released by University of Arkansas officials.
Davis’ career at Arkansas ends after starting in 11 games this season. He was second on the team in tackles (79). Harris led the secondary with 71 tackles. The Dallas native started in 10 games.
Wade was slowed by injury in the pre-season, played in five games but did not record any statistics.
That leaves three Razorback defensive players out of action for the Liberty Bowl. Freshman defensive tackle D.D. Jones, who played in all 12 games in the regular season, is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain he suffered during a scrimmage in Fayetteville on Dec. 19.
Arkansas reciever Marques Wade warms up at practice Tuesday at Rhodes College in preparation for the Liberty Bowl. + Enlarge
Discipline was also a problem with Arkansas' Liberty Bowl opponent, East Carolina, on Thursday. Two East Carolina reserves got in a fight during a team banquet, according to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Disciplinary action had not been taken as of Thursday afternoon, according to the report. ECU running back Jonathan Williams and defensive back Leonard Paulk were involved in the altercation that was, reportedly, over a dessert at a banquet table during the Liberty Bowl's annual awards luncheon. Williams did not practice with the team Thursday.
Arkansas faces East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Stay with WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as this story develops.
Comments
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dwp007 says...
Someone must have blown curfew. Team rules are team rules. Go Hogs!
December 31, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dukescro says...
cmon coach give the player some slack, its their last game for rest of their life. suspend some quarter or 2. geez this aint pro.
December 31, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Milesbr1 says...
All they had to do was stay down for one week then they could go out all they want. Maybe THEY should've thought about it being their last game. Selfish! Forget em and GO HOGS! Matt Harris is slow anyway.
December 31, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Beopig says...
Can't blame the coach for the players violating team rules. They knew better and put their fun before the team.
December 31, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oink2u2 says...
Idiots! I hope BP puts their butts on a bus back to Fayetteville! Selfish primadonas! This is one of the things that is wrong with sports today. All too often players are treated like Gods from the time they play pee wee ball. Let's face it. Most players at this level were probably the best players on their teams all of their lives and, because of that, got "special" treatment. I support Pel and BP as they make the tough decisions that a lot of coaches would NEVER make. Maybe, BP will break out a tape of Lou's Orange Bowl victory over OU. GO HOGS!
January 1, 2010 at 1:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kshack88 says...
Good job B.P. - this will NOT be forgotten by the younger guys in future years when we will potentially have much bigger stakes in play.
January 1, 2010 at 3:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SAdams says...
Harris and Davis were back in at 11:30 for an 11pm curfew, 30 min late. Harris is disappointed for letting his team down and letting himself down. He is a good kid, and a humble guy. Selfish is not a term that describes Harris at all, and if you knew him personally you would know that.
January 2, 2010 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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