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 Carter-less Auburn tailback academically ineligible for fall
Posted: Saturday June 12, 1999 04:05 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn tailback Demontray Carter, who had emerged from spring practice as the Tigers' top back, will be academically ineligible to play next season, The Montgomery Advertiser reported Saturday. "This didn't come right up and hit us in the mouth," running backs coach Eddie Gran told the newspaper. "It wasn't a huge surprise -- we know he struggled [academically] last year." Carter, a junior, rushed for 406 yards and two touchdowns last season. He beat out Michael Burks, the Tigers' top returning back, for the starting job in spring practice. That led to Burks' announcement last month that he would transfer from Auburn. Now with Carter out, Auburn's top returning rusher is quarterback Gabe Gross, who ran for 97 yards last year. Sophomore Heath Evans, who missed half of last season with a broken ankle, will likely be counted on to replace Carter in new coach Tommy Tuberville's one-back set. "It's a good time to be a young player at Auburn University," Gran said. Tuberville and Auburn Athletic Director David Housel were unavailable for comment Saturday. Carter, who was looking for a fresh start under Tuberville, has had his ups and downs with the program in his two seasons. He was supposed to be Auburn's starter last year, but former coach Terry Bowden dropped him to the second team in preseason workouts because of Carter's poor attitude in the classroom. He earned his spot back before the season opener against Virginia, but sprained his ankle on the first play. From there, Bowden was never happy with Carter's attempts to heal his injury and criticized the former Parade All-American for what Bowden called a poor work ethic. Carter ultimately ended up sharing time with Burks, starting only six of Auburn's 11 games last season, while averaging 3.7 yards in the Tigers' sometimes nonexistent running game. But with Tuberville's hiring, all players were given a fresh start and Carter made the most of it in spring practice by beating out Burks for the starting job. Then Carter was arrested along with wide receiver Reggie Worthy in April on misdemeanor harassment charges. The two allegedly slapped and poured beer on a female Auburn student at an off-campus party. Those charges were later dismissed and Tuberville took no disciplinary action against the two. Meanwhile, Housel has confirmed reports that Auburn has contacted Southern California and several other West Coast teams about playing a 12th game in 2002, when the NCAA will permit the extra regular-season game. The Tigers have added Syracuse, Georgia Tech and Clemson as non-conference opponents over the next decade and are looking for a home-and-home series with a 12th-game opponent in 2002 and 2003. "[USC] is one of several West coast teams we're talking to," said Housel, who is vacationing in Florida. "But nothing has been signed yet."
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