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Out of the Outback South Carolina's Watson suspended for breaking team rules
Updated: Sunday December 24, 2000 10:31 AM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Derek Watson, South Carolina's first 1,000-yard rusher in four years, has been suspended by coach Lou Holtz for violating team policy two days before the team was to leave for the Outback Bowl. Holtz would not say what rules Watson broke. "It's unfortunate that Derek chose not to abide by the standards that our players must uphold," the coach's statement said. "But he will be held accountable for his actions." It's the latest in a crazy postseason for Watson, South Carolina's high school Mr. Football in 1998 who became the first big recruiting prize for Holtz after taking the Gamecocks job two years ago. He missed several practices and the team's Fan Appreciation Day on Dec. 3. Watson and team officials said the absence was because of a death in the family. Then this week, Watson was unhurt in a car wreck that occurred while he was driving teammate Teddy Crawford's car at 3 a.m. Thursday. Watson said a blown tire caused the accident. The police report said Watson was ticketed for driving too fast and driving with a suspended license. Columbia Police Chief Charles Austin has said Watson's suspension was for not paying a traffic ticket. The police report said that Watson wasn't thought to be intoxicated. Damage to Crawford's car was estimated at $15,000. Watson talked with reporters this week and said he was likely going to stay in Columbia for Christmas instead of returning home to Williamston. "I'm going to stay here because I tend to get in trouble when I go home," he said. Watson led South Carolina with 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns. He topped the Southeastern Conference in all purpose yards at almost 167 yards a game. Holtz said Watson's suspension was not related to academics and was "not significantly great than have already been reported, but they are serious and will be treated as such." It's not the first time Holtz has taken action against key players before a big bowl game. Just days before the 1977 Orange Bowl, Arkansas coach Holtz suspended running backs Ben Cowins and Michael Forrest, and wide receiver Donny Bobo -- who accounted for more than 70 percent of the Razorbacks' offense -- for a dormitory incident involving a woman. Despite poor odds, Holtz and the Hogs defeated top-ranked Oklahoma 31-6. "Lou came in and made the hard decisions and it virtually won the game for them," said former Baylor head coach Grant Teaff, now executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. "Players know where the trouble is. If a coach comes in and does what's best for the team, they understand that." And Holtz realizes what Watson means to his team, playing in a bowl game a season after going 0-11. "It saddens me that Derek will not play in this game," Holtz said, because his performance this season is a big reason why our team was in a position to be selected to play in the Outback Bowl. I hope he will be with us in the future, but that will have to be decided by Derek." The Gamecocks take on No. 19 Ohio State on Jan. 1.
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