JoePa Enacts Strong Anti-Drug Legislation, Suspends Three for 5204 Affair

Penn State just can't go a few months without having some players get in some dumbass trouble. After cops found weed in the apartment of four Nittany Lions Tuesday night, Joe Paterno has suspended three of them for at least tomorrow's game against Oregon State. Two of the three—Abe Koroma and Maurice Evans—start on the defensive line. Far be it from anyone around here to criticize college kids for having two grams in their room, but really, how stupid do you have to be to let that happen when you're an NCAA D-I athlete on a top-20 team? One of the things the NCAA has zero flexibility on is its drug policy, so JoePa's hands are tied into taking them off the field.

According to a comprehensive PSU police blotter by Jeff McLane of the Inq, Paterno also kicked reserve corner Willie Harriott off the team for an unrelated reason. Black Shoe Diaries hears that it was a DUI Wednesday night, which would be his second (No ARD for you, Harriott).

They'd better get this out of their system (yes, literally) before the conference portion of the season starts. As far as the length of the suspension is concerned, your guess is as good as mine. McLane says that, "the 81-year-old coach said he would decide on the suspended players' futures when he 'gets all the information.' That could take time. University police are continuing an investigation that could take more than two weeks, according to Capt. Bill Moerschbacher."

Considering that Moerschbacher indicated that he expects charges to be filed, it could be a while before Koroma, Evans, and Andrew Quarless are back on the field. This was not Quarless's first punishable offense (previous DUI), so he could be looking at a tougher sentence from Paterno.

If anyone needs me, I'll be watching The Program.

Comments

[millertime]

how long of a leash does quarless have?

[Chamomiles Davis]

Just what the hell is going on at Penn State? I think random executions may be in order.

[Mr. Bryan]

WTF, dont these guys get laid left and right, why screw it all up with drugs and alcohol? Wait til you get to the NFL, duh.

[jd]

the players in the 70's used to get caught all the time for this crap. joe made them run laps.

that being said, its not the 70s anymore. joe has to send an immediate message, and he has accomplished that.

although it is noted that these kids are suspended immediately, before charges have been filed. why? we can beat oregon with a good offense and a mediocre defense. syracuse is next week, and they just suck. the suspended players will not start, but will be in "doghouse" status. they will be back for the big 10 openner.

[HLH]

Here is the answer....Joe needs to step down. The players may respect him as a legend of the game but not as a coah.

[HLH 420]

@HLH
Do you really think having a different coach would mean these players wouldn't be getting blazed? Really? When any player in any sport gets in off the field trouble is that a reflection of lack of respect for the coach?

[Tartan69]

Joe is trying to instill a "family atmosphere", unlike some other schools in the Big 10 that we can name...

[brian]

I'm a resident of nittany apartments (5604) and I am so tired of psu football players getting in trouble with the law. And honestly I thought our D-line may have been our strongest corps on the team...

[Kyle]

I blame the NCAA. I knew plenty of Division I football players who used to SELL much more than 2 grams... and these guys didn't even smoke!!! It's the stupid NCAA rules that these guys can't work. They have nowhere else to get money.

[Ben F]

JoePa is not in control of that team. It just looks like he is because they beat up on schools that barely scrape together a football team.