LeGarrette Blount on Friday for the remainder of season for punching Boise State
defensive end Byron Hout.
As Boise State began celebrating on their famous blue
turf, Hout yelled in Blount's face and tapped him on the shoulder pad. Before
Broncos head coach Chris Petersen could pull Hout away, Blount landed a right to
Hout's jaw, knocking him to his knees.
Blount also had to be restrained by police officers from
fans heckling him on the way to the locker room after No. 16 Oregon's 19-8 loss
Thursday to the No. 14 Broncos.
Blount's suspension includes any bowl games. Coach Chip
Kelly said Blount will remain on scholarship.
Hout will not be suspended for taunting Blount. Boise
State spokesman Max Corbet told The Associated Press in an e-mail that Petersen
planned to spend time with Hout this week to help him learn from what happened.
Mike Bellotti, who stepped aside as head coach to become
Oregon's athletic director this summer, said the Pac-10 was consulted about the
punishment and supported Oregon's decision.
Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott was at the game and saw
the altercation firsthand.
After the game, Blount apologized for his actions.
"It was just something that I shouldn't have done," said
Blount, who had eight carries for a loss of five yards. "I lost my head."
Regardless, Oregon University president Richard
Lariviere called Blount's behavior "reprehensible."
"We do not and will not tolerate the actions that were
taken by our player. Oregon's loyal fans expect and deserve better," Lariviere
said in a statement. "The University of Oregon Athletics Department is reviewing
the situation and will take appropriate action, reflecting the seriousness of
the player's behavior."
In February, Blount was suspended indefinitely from the
team for "failure to fulfill team obligations." Bellotti did not share any
details, elaborate at the time, but Blount reportedly missed offseason team
meetings.
He was reinstated before spring practice.
Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East
Mississippi CC, rushed for 1,0002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last
season.