Oregon RB throws punch after season-opening loss to Boise State

NEW YORK (SI.com)

PRINT EMAIL FACEBOOK DIGG TWITTER RSS SHARE

LeGarrette Blount (above) was suspended for the rest of the season after punching Boise State's Byron Hout. Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Oregon suspended star running back LeGarrette Blount for the remainder of the season on Friday for punching Boise State's Byron Hout.

In their home opener, the 14th-ranked Broncos ran over the 16th-ranked Ducks, as Kellen Moore threw for 197 yards and a touchdown to cap a 19-8 Boise State win Thursday night.

But all didn't end quietly. As the Broncos started celebrating their victory, defensive lineman Hout yelled in Blount's face and provokingly tapped him on the shoulder. Broncos head coach Chris Petersen responded immediately, but before he could pull his player away, Blount snapped and punched Hout in the jaw.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Blount then hit one of his teammates before police and team staff escorted him off the field, holding him back as he tried to swing at heckling fans.

"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."

Lt. Bryan Hagler said Boise police would not get involved in the scuffle, though there were rumors Blount may get arrested.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he wanted to review the tape of the punch before making a decision on Blount's punishment, and his future. On Friday, Kelly chose to keep Blount off the field for the rest of the season, including any bowl games. He will, however, remain on scholarship.

Mike Bellotti, Oregon's former head coach who stepped down last summer to become athletic director, said the Pac-10 was consulted about the pushiment -- commissioner Larry Scott was at the game -- and supports the school's choice of punishment.

Though Blount apologized profusely during the postgame new conference, Oregon University president Richard Lariviere called Blount's behavior "reprehensible," and said "Oregon's loyal fans expect and deserve better."

Blount's punishment comes nearly seven months after he was suspended indefinitely from the team for failing to "fulfill team obligations." Details of the February suspension were not disclosed by then-coach Bellotti, and Blount, a transfer from East Mississippi CC, was reinstated before spring practice.

Hout will not be suspended for Thurday's altercation, despite taunting Blount before getting socked.

Boise State spokesman Max Corbet said Petersen will spend time with Hout during the week to help him learn from the incident.

MANDEL: Oregon embarrasses iteself in loss to Boise State