Miami players dismissed for NCAA rules violations
Vols’ helmet sticker to honor Summit
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami threw two defensive starters off its football team Saturday for NCAA violations, after a months-long probe into whether players had access to luxury rental cars.
Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad and linebacker Jermaine Grace were “permanently dismissed” from the team, though the school is offering to continue providing financial aid until they graduate from Miami. It was not immediately clear if either player is planning to remain at the university, which remains on probation over the actions of a former rogue booster.
Another linebacker, Juwon Young, left Miami several weeks ago and was part of the same rental-car probe. He now is on Marshall’s roster.
The fallout from the investigation will have a major impact on the Hurricanes, who open their season Sept. 3 against Florida A&M — as it cost Miami its three leading tacklers from a year ago. Grace had 79 tackles, Young had 57. Muhammad, who missed the entire 2014 season because of a university-imposed suspension after an off-campus fight, had 54 and led the Hurricanes in both tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (5).
“The decision was made in consultation with outside counsel and after discussions with the NCAA enforcement staff,” the university said in a statement. “As no staff members or boosters were involved in the violations, the program will not be subject to sanctions and, at this time, the University deems this matter closed.”
Declaring the matter closed means that wide receiver Stacy Coley, who was also investigated as part of the rentalcar probe, was apparently not found to have done anything meriting sanctions.
Miami coach Mark Richt is not scheduled to address reporters again until Tuesday.
TENNESSEE: The Vols will wear a commemorative sticker on the back of their helmets this season to honor former Lady Volunteers basketball coach Pat Summit, who died June 28 after battling earlyonset dementia, Alzheimer’s type. DUKE: Quarterback Thomas Sirk will miss the season after tearing his left Achilles tendon he first tore in February. This marks the third injury to an Achilles tendon since 2013 for the redshirt senior, who led Duke in rushing and passing last season and was the co-MVP of the Blue Devils’ Pinstripe Bowl victory over Indiana.
CAL 51, HAWAII 31: In Sydney, quarterback Davis Webb made quite an impression in his first game as a graduate transfer at California. The transfer from Texas Tech threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score in a stellar debut for Cal, leading the Bears to a 51-31 win over Hawaii on Saturday in college football’s season opener.
It’s the seventh straight year that Hawaii, of the Mountain West Conference, has opened against a Pac-12 team, and Hawaii is 2-5 in that span. The Rainbow Warriors visit Michigan this coming Saturday.
FLORIDA STATE: Strength and conditioning coach Vic Viloria has been charged with driving under the influence and property damage. According to the by Tallahassee Police report, Viloria was arrested Saturday morning after police found him asleep at the wheel at an off ramp near downtown. Officers tried to wake Viloria before be drove away. He traveled up an embankment and hit an electronic cross-walk sign.