SWAC staggers suspensions for SU, UAPB

The Southwestern Athletic Conference decided Tuesday to stagger the suspensions of the 40 Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff players suspended for their roles in the postgame fight between the teams Oct. 15.
The suspensions will come over the teams’ next three games. For the Jaguars, it means wide receiver LaQuinton Evans – along with defensive lineman Kenneth Hill Jr., safety Levi Jackson, running back Kaelan Mayfield, defensive back Jaleel Richardson, safety Marlon Smith, wide receiver William Waddell and linebacker Franchot West – will be available for Saturday’s homecoming game against Alcorn State.
The conference also reinstated linebacker Corry Roy, who the SWAC confirmed did not participate in the altercation. The SWAC determined who would sit out the next three games for each team using an alphabetical listing of the players affected as a random determining factor.
SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said the conference office took into consideration the safety and welfare of the student-athletes remaining on each team’s roster following the suspensions. The league also took into consideration that currently eligible players could possibly lose future eligibility by lifting redshirts this late in the season in order to fill roster spots left by the suspensions.
“In fairness to those that did not participate in the altercation, we have decided to stagger the punishments handed down to each school. Let me reiterate, however, these suspensions send a clear and definitive message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Sharp said.
Southern coach Stump Mitchell said interim Athletic Director Sandy Pugh and Chancellor James Llorens did an excellent job discussing the decision to stagger suspensions with the conference.
“All in all, I think we came out pretty good,” Mitchell said. “Unfortunately, we got involved in an incident and we have to serve our penalties.”
Linebacker Jamie Payton, cornerback LaMarkius Pettaway and kick returner/running back Byron Williams remain suspended for the Alcorn State game and the Nov. 5 Texas Southern game.
Running back Terrell Alex, wide receiver Lee Doss and linebackers Anthony Balancier and Daniel Brown will not play Saturday against the Braves. Evans, Hill, Jackson and Mayfield will not play the Texas Southern game.
Payton, Pettaway and Williams will be available to return to action for the Nov. 12 game against Alabama State. However, Richardson, Smith, Waddell and West will sit out that game.