Sports

Few details on 3 UM football players suspended for 1 game

Posted: Oct 30, 2012 8:07 AM by Dan Cimmino - MTN Sports

MISSOULA - Three University of Montana football players have been suspended for one game, but we don't know specifically why.

We spoke with UM Director of Athletics Kent Haslam Monday afternoon, and the details he provided were none too specific, other than the three players suspended had violated team rules.

The trio who will miss the Griz upcoming game against Weber State are linebacker John Kanongata'a, offensive lineman Kelby Oiland and redshirt freshman Nick Holt.

Haslam told us that football coach Mick Delaney came to him with the information, and that ultimately it was the coach's decision on the suspensions.

"He explained to me some of the background and I agreed with him. He felt like a suspension was necessary. I don't want to get into the particulars or the details of the reason why. I can tell you it's not NCAA-related and it's not law enforcement-related, but Mick felt like this was important," Haslam said.

Monday's news came on the heels of offensive tackle Trevor Poole being arrested late Saturday night at a Halloween related party for drug possession.

This is the first batch of controversy for Delaney and Haslam, and while nobody is thrilled, they believe the right decision has been made.

"I think all we can do is teach and educate and to hope and pray they make good decisions. So obviously there's disappointment, but I also believe in consequences and in being firm, but fair. I applaud coach Delaney for handling this head on. We felt strongly that that's what we needed to do; do it in an open and transparent way and there's disappointment, but we'll move forward," Haslam explained.

Poole appeared in Missoula Justice Court Monday afternoon to face the drug charge and was released on special court conditions, but is still indefinitely suspended from the football team.