Arkansas State Suspends Seven Players

Seven players were suspended indefinitely from the Arkansas State football team for unspecified violations of team policy.

“I have said before that we will run a football program that all of us can be proud of,” Coach Joe Hollis said.

The players suspended were defensive end Gary Hurt, defensive back Alfonzo People, fullback Renard Robinson, offensive linemen Patrick Birdwell and Justin Birdwell, wide receiver David Westbrook and running back Alastair Couch.

*

Arizona State hasn’t lost a Pacific 10 game since 1995. Oregon State has won only one since 1994.

But the 25th-ranked Sun Devils (2-1), sobered by a 13-10 home loss to Brigham Yung last week, are not taking anything for granted in today’s conference opener against the Beavers.

“Oregon State is a tough place to play. We have struggled there,” Arizona State Coach Bruce Snyder said. “We have to be ready. I think we have proven that if we play pretty lousy, we are pretty lousy.”