
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/sports/ci_15750127
Scott Wolf said:LOS ANGELES - USC freshman tailback Dillon Baxter was suspended for the season opener against Hawaii by Trojans coach Lane Kiffin following an incident at a school dormitory.
Kiffin didn't disclose why he suspended Baxter, but USC's department of public safety listed an incident at 2:47 Tuesday morning in which a "student was cited to Judicial Affairs for violating a team curfew and being under the influence of a controlled substance."
Sources said Baxter was the player referred to in the report. The incident occurred at Fluor Tower, where USC football players stay during training camp. A source within the football program, who didn't wish to be identified, said public safety officers said they smelled marijuana in the dorm.
"I think this is an extremely strong message, a very severe punishment, for a player that may be our most potentially skilled player on our whole roster to miss his first game," Kiffin said. "Hopefully that message not only helps him, it helps our team and our freshman class.
"This is our first class coming in. I want to make sure they understand we have extremely high expectations for all of our players."
Baxter was held out of Tuesday's morning and evening practices for missing bed check, and freshman wide receiver Markeith Ambles was held out of the morning practice because he let Baxter back into the dormitory.
Baxter was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Sources said he met with new USC athletic director Pat Haden before Kiffin announced the punishment. Kiffin said he made the decision Wednesday morning and informed Haden, who agreed with him.
"You can see there is zero tolerance," linebacker Chris Galippo said of Kiffin's attitude in regard to discipline.
Baxter is USC's most highly anticipated new skill player, and drew comparisons from Kiffin to former tailback Reggie Bush following several long runs during spring practices.
Kiffin said he hadn't decided if he would take Baxter to Hawaii for the game even though he cannot play. Baxter will be allowed to practice, and was in uniform Wednesday.
Injury report
Defensive end Nick Perry wore a large protective boot on his right foot after practice and said he injured his knee and ankle during a goal-line drill. Perry said he didn't think it was a severe sprain, but there was no prognosis on when he might return.
Linebacker Hayes Pullard (knee), wide receiver Robert Woods (knee) and fullback Simione Vehikite (neck) also left practice, but Kiffin said their injuries were less serious than Perry's.
Read more: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/sports/ci_15750127#ixzz0wpIZmhzR
:smh: Oh well. We shouldn't need him against Hawaii.