MEMPHIS — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said Friday it hurt his heart to have to suspend and send home three players, including defensive starters Wendel Davis and Matt Harris, for today’s Liberty Bowl.
East Carolina Coach Skip Holtz, with a background steeped in Arkansas football, couldn’t help but recall a suspension incident that preceded a huge moment in Razorbacks history.
His father, Lou Holtz, suspended key players Ben Cowins, Donny Bobo and Michael Forrest prior to the Razorbacks’ monumental upset of No. 2 Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl.
Ironically, Skip Holtz received an oil painting of his father celebrating that victory prior to Friday’s coaches news conferences from Liberty Bowl board member John Ellis, a 1966 graduate of the University of Arkansas.
“The first thing that comes to mind, I remember the last time Arkansas suspended three players for a bowl game,” Holtz said. “I’ve got a painting up here of it. ... I believe the final score was 31-6 with that team really coming together.”
Davis, Harris and backup receiver Marques Wade violated Arkansas’ curfew guidelines Wednesday night, and Petrino said they would be held out of the game against East Carolina.
“It’s something that’s really hard, hard on me to do that,” Petrino said. “Those guys have put a great commitment and effort into being Razorbacks. They just stepped out of their character a little bit.
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“I know they’ve given a lot to this football team. They’ve been responsible for helping us win games and helping us build this program.”
Holtz announced Friday he has suspended a pair of little-used reserves, running back Jonathan Williams and defensive back Leonard Paulk, for the game. The Commercial-Appeal of Memphis reported Friday that the East Carolina players got into an argument at the dessert table at a team luncheon Thursday and that one had the other in a headlock and was punching him.
“Both players were equally wrong,” Holtz said. “Every player has to be accountable for his actions.”
Arkansas’ suspensions obviously carry more weight, as Davis and Harris rank second and third, respectively, on the team in tackles with 79 and 71.
Petrino said sophomore Jerry Franklin, junior Freddy Burton and freshman Terrell Williams would have to rotate between Davis’ spot in the middle and Franklin’s weakside spot.
Sophomore Tramain Thomas and junior college transfer Anthony Leon will share time at Harris’ free safety position.
Sports, Pages 23 on 01/02/2010