Rutgers will be without two of its top offensive players for part of its season opener.
The program announced Tuesday that wide receiver Leonte Carroo and quarterback Chris Laviano are both suspended for the first half against Norfolk State on Sept. 5. The suspensions stem from a “curfew violation," head coach Kyle Flood said in a statement.
After hauling in 55 catches for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns, Carroo was a first-team All-Big Ten selection for the Scarlet Knights in 2014. The senior has 83 catches for 1,564 yards and 19 touchdowns in his Rutgers career.
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Laviano, a redshirt sophomore, has been competing with Hayden Rettig for the team’s starting quarterback job throughout preseason camp. The competition has reportedly been tight, but as a result of Laviano’s suspension, Rettig will get the start in the opener.
Rettig, who is also a redshirt sophomore, was a highly-rated four-star recruit who transferred to Rutgers from LSU. Rettig redshirted the 2014 season due to the NCAA’s transfer rules. Laviano saw action in five games last season, completing 11-of-28 passes for 107 yards and an interception. He also ran for 69 yards on seven attempts.
Additionally, three other players – redshirt junior linebacker Kevin Marquez, senior punter Tim Gleeson and redshirt junior cornerback Ruhann Peele – are also suspended for the first half against Norfolk.
Gleeson is the Scarlet Knights’ starting punter, while Marquez and Peele are expected to be backups.
The news of the suspensions comes after a NJ.com report emerged that Scarlet Knights head coach Kyle Flood is being investigated for a possible rules violation.
For more Rutgers news, visit ScarletNation.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
