Six UCLA players suspended for brawl with Arizona

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WALNUT CREEK ? The Pac-12 Conference suspended 10 players, including six from UCLA, on Friday for their involvement in a fight that occurred during the first half of the UCLA-Arizona football game Thursday night.

?The Conference is extremely disappointed in the actions of the student-athletes involved in this incident,? Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. ?It is unacceptable behavior and violated Conference rules, as well as NCAA fighting rules.

The referees try to break up a fight on the field between UCLA and Arizona players during the first half of Thursday night's game. The Pac-12 handed out suspensions on Friday for 10 of the players involved in the altercation.

VIDEO IMAGE COURTESY OF ESPN

?I have taken these actions today because it is imperative that we hold our student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards of sportsmanship.?

Bruins wide receiver Taylor Embree and Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson were penalized by game officials for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected from the contest for fighting with four seconds left in the first half. They both will have to sit out an additional game.

UCLA defensive tackle Cassius Marsh was given a two-game ban while receivers Randall Carroll, Shaq Evans, and Ricky Marvray each received a game. Guard Alberto Cid will have to sit for a half.

Arizona nickleback Jourdan Grandon will miss a game while cornerback Lyle Brown and safety Mark Watley each will sit a half.

The suspensions will occur during each school's next scheduled game. UCLA plays Saturday, Oct. 29 against Cal, while Arizona's next game is at Washington that day.

The fight started when a streaker ran onto the field and three players from each team started jawing at each other. Shoves followed and players from both teams raced onto the field, pushing each other and throwing wild punches in a melee that spread nearly 60 yards across the field.

Several players had to be restrained by coaches before officials got everyone back to their respective sidelines. Arizona led 42-7 at the time and won 48-12.

"On behalf of the entire UCLA football program, I respect the Pac-12's decision to suspend six of our players after the unfortunate incident in the second quarter of yesterday's Arizona game," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said in a statement.

"As a program, we certainly do not condone the actions of our student-athletes involved, no matter what circumstances they found themselves in at the time. As the head coach, I am very disappointed with their actions. I told each and every one of our players as much in the locker room, both at halftime, and at the conclusion of the game. Everyone here understands the expectations and responsibilities we share, and that representing UCLA on the field of play is a privilege."

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