USC Safety Arrested for DUI

USC safety Josh Pinkard was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of driving under the influence, coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday.
Carroll planned to speak with Pinkard, a 21-year-old junior, either Tuesday evening or Wednesday.
"We're looking into it, and we'll find out the details,'' Carroll said. "As usual, we'll handle it internally. We take this seriously, and we want to make sure we understand all of the circumstances.''
Pinkard could not immediately be reached for comment. It was not known whether he had an attorney.
Pinkard missed nearly all last season after injuring a knee in the opener against Arkansas. He redshirted last season and had reconstructive surgery. He was expected to play a significant role in the upcoming season for the Trojans, who were No. 4 in the final AP Top 25.
Authorities said Pinkard was arrested in the early morning of May 18 after a California Highway Patrol officer noticed a car swerving on a local freeway. The CHP report identified Pinkard as a USC student, but did not mention the football team.
Pinkard was scheduled to appear in court July 24.

Nebraska's Pruify arrested again for DUI

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Wide receiver Maurice Purify was suspended indefinitely from the Nebraska football team Friday after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, his second run-in with law enforcement in five weeks.

A State Patrol trooper stopped Purify at 12:25 a.m. at the intersection of Cornhusker Highway and North First Street in Lincoln. Purify was observed driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone and failing to use his turn signal, patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said. Purify was taken to the Lincoln Detoxification Center after being ticketed on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Collins said she didn't know Purify's blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest.
"We are aware of Maurice's situation and we take it very seriously," coach Bill Callahan said. "I met with Maurice today and explained to him that he is indefinitely suspended from the team. At this point, his future status with our team is uncertain."

A call seeking comment from Purify's attorney, Jon Braaten of Lincoln, was not immediately returned.

Purify had been charged with two counts of assault, resisting arrest, trespassing and failure to comply after a May 5 incident at a downtown bar. Purify was accused of throwing a man over a table, hitting him several times and striking the man's girlfriend.

Purify had been authorized to enter a pretrial diversion program in that case. City prosecutor John McQuinn couldn't be reached to comment on how Purify's arrest Friday would affect his participation in diversion.

Purify, from Eureka, Calif., was Nebraska's second-leading receiver last season, catching 34 passes for 630 yards and seven touchdowns. He will be a senior in the fall.

Texas moves up to #4

University of Texas has moved up to the #4 spot in the Thug Factor with their latest criminal activities. In line with Mack Browns handling of all UT Thugs, the starter is still on the team and the backup has been suspended.

Way to go Mack.

2 UT Player Arrested for Burglary and DUI

Texas safety Robert Joseph was jailed Saturday on two misdemeanor charges of burglary of a vehicle and has been suspended indefinitely by the Longhorns.

Joseph, 19, was booked around 4:30 a.m. and remained in Travis County Jail late Saturday on $6,000 bond. He was arrested after running from a security guard who found Joseph sitting in a car that didn't belong to him at a downtown hotel, according to his arrest affidavit.

"We are aware of the recent situation with Robert Joseph," Texas head coach Mack Brown said in a statement. "We've talked with Robert and his family and have decided to suspend him indefinitely, pending the completion of the legal process. At this time, he will not be involved in any team functions."

Joseph is the second Texas player arrested this month. On June 1, junior defensive end Henry Melton was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

According to the arrest affidavit, Joseph was spotted in a car by an off-duty Austin police officer working security at a hotel parking garage. Joseph told the officer the car belonged to a friend, but then fled as the officer tried to verify the owner's identity.

A short time later, the officer again found Joseph sitting in another car. The affidavit states that Joseph was arrested after telling the officer he was breaking into cars to get away from someone who attacked him at a downtown club.

Joseph, a sophomore, played in seven games last season but missed the last six with a shoulder injury. He had 14 tackles as a backup safety and special teams player.