SWAC Levies Suspensions and Fines to Southern Univ. and Arkansas-Pine Bluff for Altercation

Birmingham, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Thursday the suspension of 41 football student-athletes from Southern University and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for their roles in an altercation following the football contest between the two schools on Saturday, October 15.  Each of the universities has also been fined an undisclosed amount by the Conference Office.

Sixteen of the suspended players are from Southern, and 25 are from UAPB.  Among the 41 one-game suspensions are eight two-game suspensions for individuals who used excessive force during the altercation. The suspensions are effective for each of the Jaguars and Golden Lions upcoming immediate games.  All of the one-game suspensions will be served during the respective October 29 games.  UAPB’s next two games are both home games vs. Grambling on October 29 and Alabama State on November 5.  Southern hosts Alcorn State on October 29 and travels to Texas Southern on November 5.

Following a thorough review of available video footage by conference officials, the Conference Office suspended the following student-athletes:

Southern University

#2           Lee Doss

#13         Jaleel Richardson

#17         LaMarkius Pettaway **

#19         William Waddel

#20         Byron Williams **

#21         Terrell Alex

#22         Levi Jackson

#23         Marlon Smith

#35         Kaelan Mayfield

#49         Anthony Balancier

#51         Franchot West

#53         Kenneth Hill, Jr.

#56         Jamie Payton **

#58         Corry Roy

#82         LaQuinton Evans

#98         Daniel Brown

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

#2           Cordara Frazier

#9           Ryan Shaw

#14         Mose Frazier

#15         Dezmond Beverly **

#18         Joe Dalton

#20         Kevin Rucker, Jr.

#21         Justin Billings

#22         Charles Williams

#26         Kendrick Gray

#27         Antonio Richmond

#31         Torrence Shelton, Jr.

#34         Jherron Harris

#36         Stephen Jones **

#40         Derrick Timber

#49         Brandon Fulton

#50         Chukwaso Oputa **

#52         Devonne Tingle

#54         Lyron McClenney **

#56         K.J. Smith

#62         Jamaal Philips

#67         Colton Jones

#82         Devontaa Bryant **

#85         Donnie Scott

#87         Eric Thomas

#92         Damien Lee

** Two-game suspension

“What took place following Saturday’s Southern / UAPB game has no place in college football,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “The Conference is taking this action because of the nature and seriousness of the situation. Officials at both Southern University and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have been very cooperative in addressing this issue with the Conference Office, and we thank them for their cooperation. These suspensions send a clear and definitive message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”