UCLA has decided to suspend receiver Josh Smith and F-back Morrell Presley for the Oct. 21 game against second-ranked Oregon, citing violation of rules.
Rick Neuheisel, who is currently coaching the UCLA team, revealed little details of the violations that prompted the suspension when he announced the news just before the start of the Bruins' bye-week practices. He refused to comment on the violations on account of student privacy laws and did not remarked on reports that other players would also be suspended.
"Hopefully they'll learn the valuable lesson that can be learned from this type of discipline," Neuheisel said after the practice.
There are some reports in the Orange County Register that say that the players were suspended for violating the drug regulations of UCLA. There are also reports of at least two other players in the process or are appealing the violations that may lead to suspension; report about a positive drug test is also doing rounds in the team circles.
Smith is the top kick returner for the Bruins and has an average of 27.4 yards on 14 kickoff returns. "I apologized to the guys, let them know I was extremely apologetic," Smith said.
Presley has played all six games at F-back, which has always been a major position in UCLA's Pistol offense, but his performance has not been up to the mark. He has just three receptions for a total of 12 yards.
Presley's co-starter in the team freshman Anthony Barr is suffering from a calf injury and his suspension spells trouble for the team.
