Colleges

Hokies kick Vick off team

By wire services
Published January 7, 2006

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Tech on Friday kicked embattled quarterback Marcus Vick off the football team, citing the cumulative effects of numerous legal transgressions and his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Jan. 2 Gator Bowl.

The announcement from university president Charles Steger came on the same day that coach Frank Beamer met with Vick and his mother in their Hampton Roads home. Beamer informed them of the decision during the meeting.

Vick, who already was on a short string after being suspended from school in 2004 for several legal problems, came under new and intense scrutiny this week after he was caught on tape stomping on the left calf of an opponent during the Gator Bowl.

No flag was called on the play, but Vick did not help himself by claiming it was accidental, even though the frequently shown replay betrayed that claim. He further hurt his cause by claiming to have apologized to Louisville All-American defensive end Elvis Dumervil for the incident, but Dumervil said he got no apology.

Then, on Friday, even more legal trouble for the junior surfaced when it was revealed that he had been stopped for speeding and driving on a suspended license in Hampton on Dec. 17, Cpl. James West said. His license had been taken away in August 2004 when he was cited for reckless driving and marijuana possession in New Kent.

Steger suspended Vick from the Blacksburg school at that time, and warned that any additional problems would effectively end his time as a member of the Hokies' football team.

"The university provided one last opportunity for Vick to become a citizen of the university and re-admitted him in January 2005, with the proviso that any future problems would result in automatic dismissal from the team," Steger said Friday.

The school said officials would have nothing more to say on the matter in advance of a news conference today.

The Virginian-Pilot reported on its Web site on Friday night that Vick would turn pro.

"It's not a big deal," Vick was quoted as telling the newspaper. "I'll just move on to the next level, baby."

TWO SAY THEY'LL ENTER DRAFT: Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall and Oregon defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said they'll skip their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft.

POSLUSZNY PROGNOSIS BETTER THAN EXPECTED: All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny will not need surgery after partially tearing two ligaments in his right knee during Penn State's Orange Bowl victory.

USC 58, NO. 9 ARIZONA ST. 50: The Trojans erased a halftime deficit by outscoring the Sun Devils 31-21 in the second half.

NO. 5 UNC 102, CLEMSON 61: The host Tar Heels went over 100 points for the second game and scored their most points since a 106-40 win over East Tennessee State on Nov. 24, 2002.

NO. 24 TEMPLE 77, CHARLOTTE 69: Lady Comfort had a career-high 18 points and 13 rebounds for the visiting Owls' 23rd straight Atlantic 10 Conference win.

STANFORD: Fred Washington will have season-ending surgery on his left knee to repair a torn patella tendon.

A date for the operation has not been scheduled.

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:25:29]