So much for that festive spring game today, huh?In the first blow to the new regime of coach Tim Brewster, it was learned Friday that three Gophers have been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault this week.
As Mr. Rich pointed out earlier this morning, it hasn't been the best offseason for the Big Ten so far, with players from Illinois, Michigan, and Penn State finding some hot water, and a Purdue wide receiver getting stabbed. Add three Gopher players to the list.
Junior DE Alex Daniels (right), who spent some time at running back last season, was one of those taken into custody. CB Keith Massey and RB E.J. Jones, both sophomores, were the other players identified by university police.
University spokesman Dan Wolter didn't reveal any specific information, but said a woman reported an assault that she says occurred sometime between late Tuesday night and the mid-morning on Wednesday. She was examined at a hospital. The players were arrested Friday after police checked on the report. They were being questioned on Friday night.
The Gophers had planned an elaborate celebration - dubbed the "Gopher Nation Celebration" - surrounding the spring game today at the Metrodome, including a morning "Gopher Victory Walk". It is the first major event the Gophers have had since Brewster took over as head coach. As Chip Scoggins noted in the Star Tribune this morning, the news of the arrests broke last night during a reunion of former Gopher players that Brewster set up.
Brewster has suspended all three players until the investigation is complete, and it should be noted that no charges have been filed. Greg Hestness, Chief of the University Police, said the investigation is ongoing, and once complete, all information will be sent along to the Hennepin County Attorney for consideration of charges.
In a statement, Brewster didn't say much, but did make clear his displeasure with the events:
"Obviously, this is disappointing news for any coach to receive. There is an ongoing investigation and we will cooperate fully with law enforcement on this matter."After an early spring practice session that followed Brewster's wonderfully-handled hire, this is the first crisis for Brewster as a head coach. If he's unsure of how to handle things, he has plenty of help available to him with the other coaches in the Big Ten. The number of them who are in the same boat is increasing.
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