Prosecutors in Idaho have decided not to file criminal charges against Idaho State football coach Mike Kramer after a player complained that the coach shoved him to the turf during practice.
Pocatello City Attorney Dean Tranmer called it a difficult decision but said that investigators didn’t believe Kramer had any intention of harming wide receiver Derek Graves or committing a criminal act.
“It was an unfortunate occurrence, which Kramer apologized for to Graves and the entire team a short time after it happened,” Tranmer said.
Tranmer said another factor was the 11 days that elapsed between when Graves was pushed on Oct. 3 and when he filed the police complaint, as well as the fact that Graves released videotape of the altercation to ESPN.
On the recording, Kramer is seen running across the field during practice, stopping in front of Graves and apparently yelling at him before shoving him. Graves took a few stumbling steps backward before falling down. Graves said he injured his neck in the fall.
Graves hasn’t played since the confrontation and was suspended indefinitely last week for violating team rules.
The Idaho State team doctor attested to Graves’ injury in writing in a statement supporting a medical redshirt and has not cleared him for competition.
Idaho State suspended Kramer for the game against Montana on Oct. 27.
ROYAL TRIBUTE
When No. 19 Texas takes the field today against Iowa State, the Longhorns will pay tribute to former coach Darrell Royal with helmet stickers bearing his “DKR” initials and the first play on offense, which will be run from the wishbone formation Royal introduced to major college football in 1968.
Royal died this week at age 88, and the school wants to honor the coach who won two national championships, a share of a third and 11 Southwest Conference titles from 1957 to 1976.
Royal coached the University of Washington in 1956 before taking over at Texas the following season.
BYU SUSPENDS 2
Two members of Brigham Young’s football team were suspended from the team and have withdrawn from school amid an investigation into an assault at a Provo, Utah, restaurant.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall announced that senior defensive back Joe Sampson and sophomore linebacker Zac Stout have been suspended for violating team rules. Both players have withdrawn from BYU and will not return this season.
UCONN BEATS PITT
Lyle McCombs ran for 120 yards and a touchdown and Connecticut beat Pittsburgh, 24-17, in East Hartford, Conn.
Chandler Whitmer threw for 213 yards and a score for the Huskies (4-6, 1-4 Big East), and Nick Williams returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown.
Tino Sunseri threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns for Pitt (4-6, 1-4), which fell short in its attempt to overcome a 24-0 halftime deficit.
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