Colleges

Ex-Arizona St. back charged with murder

By Times staff writer, Times wires
Published March 30, 2005

TEMPE - Former Arizona State running back Loren Wade was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the shooting of another former Sun Devils player.

Wade, 21, has been held without bond since Saturday, when he was arrested at the slaying site outside a Scottsdale nightspot. Witnesses say they saw him approach the car of Brandon Falkner, and exchange words with Falkner before a single gunshot rang out.

Falkner, 25, was killed by a bullet to the head.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State will begin spring practice for the second straight year with uncertainty at quarterback after starter Troy Smith was officially suspended by the NCAA for the 2005 opener.

The Buckeyes, who begin drills Thursday, will be grooming junior Justin Zwick for a Sept. 3 game with Miami University. Smith, who admitted accepting cash from a booster, will be eligible for a nationally televised night game with Texas if he makes restitution.

GAINESVILLE - Florida linebacker Taurean Charles met with athletic director Jeremy Foley on Tuesday and was informed his career with the Gators is over.

"Taurean Charles is no longer a member of our football program," Foley said. "We wish Taurean the best of luck in the future."

The decision concluded a nearly year-long saga for the 21-year-old Miami native, who was suspended in July and missed all of the 2004 season, after he was accused of throwing a keg of beer at another UF student during an off campus party.

Last month, Charles pleaded no contest to misdemeanor culpable negligence and was sentenced to one year's probation and $897.12 in restitution to the victim. It was the second incident Charles had been involved in that resulted in probation since he enrolled at Florida.

Charles remained on scholarship during his suspension, but it will not be renewed after the spring term ends in May.

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

USF 6, STETSON 0: Bryan Hierlmeier hit a grand slam to lead the Bulls (18-13) over in-state rival Stetson (16-11) at Red McEwen Field.

SAINT LEO 6, TAMPA 1: The fourth-ranked Spartans dropped to 27-6 while the Lions climbed to 16-13.

ROLLINS 4, ECKERD 1: The Tars completed a three-game sweep of the Tritons.

Florida (28-7, 7-1 SEC) split a doubleheader with Alabama (37-8, 10-4 SEC) at the Florida Softball Stadium. The Gators dropped the first game 5-3 but rallied to capture the second game 6-4 in eight innings.

TAMPA'S WARD 2ND: The University of Tampa's Brian Ward tied for second place at the Unicco Spring Golf Invitational at Tamarac. The Spartans finished fifth in the seven-team event.

[Last modified March 30, 2005, 01:04:14]