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Source: Mathieu, Ware, Simon suspended for Auburn game

Suspension could be longer

Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 21:10

8:05 p.m. — LSU coach Les Miles kept mum at his weekly press conference Wednesday night, declining to address rumors that three football players have been suspended for Auburn.

Miles wouldn't confirm rumors that defensive backs Tharold Simon and Tyrann Mathieu and running back Spencer Ware will be held out on Saturday. He called allegations about a failed drug test "way left of center."

"I certainly understand the interest surrounding what seems to be news," Miles said. "The problem with that news is it's internal discipline and internal function of a team. I'm not inclined to be forthcoming with information. I'm not reactionary to the needs of the media and things external to us."

Miles said the team has an internal process to go through before administering discipline.

"It's not going to be short-cutted," Miles said. "There's a need to communicate. Information that I can share, I will. I'm doing this for the best of our football team and squad."

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2:28 p.m. — The Times Picayune's Jim Kleinpeter reports Tharold Simon will also be suspended for the Auburn game and possibly further.

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2:16 p.m. — LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette confirmed he spoke to LSU Coach Les Miles. He told the Daily Reveille: "Coach Miles is handling it as an internal issue, within the team and university, but we cannot comment further at this time."

Check back for more updates.

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LSU sophomores Spencer Ware and Tyrann Mathieu will be suspended for Saturday's game against Auburn after reportedly failing a drug test, a source told The Daily Reveille on Wednesday.

The suspensions could turn into multiple-game suspensions as well.

Michael Bonnette, LSU's Associate Athletics Director and Sports Information Director, did not comment on the matter, but neither confirmed nor denied the reports, saying he will speak with LSU coach Les Miles this afternoon.

Ware is the Tigers' starting running back and has gained 512 yards as part of a dynamic LSU rushing attack.

Mathieu has garnered widespread Heisman hype after forcing six turnovers and scoring two touchdowns on defense and special teams this season.

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Contact The Daily Reveille's sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com

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Fri Dec 9 2011 14:00

They should have been suspended for the season. I guess since they are such good players, they just get a slap on the wrist. What a joke, these guys should lose there chance at college football if they can't put there drugs down long enough to play football.

Sat Dec 3 2011 22:32

Why, are players allowed to play ,if I test positive on drug test my job is gone. Whats up people?

Fri Nov 25 2011 09:36

Bama Fans Were Excited to learn that they would be suspended for two weeks...That Being said, LSU.'s schedule called for a by game the second week. Plus if it wasn't,We would've done it anyways.

Thu Oct 20 2011 14:02

Wow. Speculation and inuindo apparently is fodder for idiots. The tragedy here is that The reveille, ESPN, CBS etc. would report information as if it were fact when nothing has been validated. Whoever "leaked this story and the idiots who have published it should be sued by the young men. Whoever leaked the information...whoever the sources are will mess u0p and brag. LSU Nation, lets rallyn together and find the rat(s) and report them to LSU so they can be terminated and prosecuted as they deserve to be. These poor kids have rights that have been violated by criminals who do not deserve to be associated with LSU. Keep ypour eyes and ears open and step and report them idiots so they can be dealt with!

Wed Oct 19 2011 22:16

LSU is a team made up of many outstanding athletes/players. We lost our starting quarterback, we had a great player step up to lead out team, and now we are ranked No. 1 in the nation. If we lose Mathieu and Ware, guess what, we have a magnitude of great players waiting for a chance to step up and help lead our team to a national championship. Coach Miles will regroup and our fighting tigers will come out and show everyone what they are - competitors who never give up, and WE ARE IN ITTO WIN IT!! GEAUX TIGERS!!!

Wed Oct 19 2011 20:51

@go boise state... dude, are you serious? gotta be a joke. boise state wouldn't be able to stay on the field with a lsu or alabama... y'all beat a garbage georgia team at the beginning of season that was going through drama about coach, but they're hot now.. i guarantee if y'all played again georgia would run y'all off the field... auburn could beat y'all, arkansas would win, florida, south carolina even without lattimore, tennessee, and miss state... y'all may could be ole miss, vandy, and kentucky this year, and that ain't saying much with their teams this year... so get a life, and get off lsu sites loser... y'all can go undefeated all y'all want, and will never make it to the ship... get a real schedule, play some real teams, and/or join a real conference, then go undefeated then will talk, until then, stfu

Wed Oct 19 2011 20:30

To the anonymous LSU Alum that does not support LSU, Why are you upset ("this sucks"). C'mon man. To Bama/Auburn fans: Auburn fans- when it was Cam Newton's father trying to get money from the best offer you sure didn't have much to say. At least LSU have standard and if these players can't follow the rules then there should be penalties. Right? Alabama fans- now I see why you want to beat Auburn so bad ever year, good luck Nov 5th. It should be a pretty good game.

Wed Oct 19 2011 20:10

I am a huge big Bama fan stuck in the middle of Louisiana. I wish these college athletes wouldn't make poor decsions like this. As someone else said earlier, these are truly selfish decisions made by these young men that is affecting all of their team-mates. Hopefully, these guys can take these decisions and learn from them. If they desire to be professional atheletes, they can still acheive this goal. I just hate that this will be hanging over lsu for the rest of the season. LSU is stil loaded with good athletes, it isn't the end for them, they still have a very good ball club. I hope the team can pull it together and still play like I know they can. I say all of that, but I still say Roll Tide.

Wed Oct 19 2011 19:28

Oh, and leave "The Hat' out of this. He didn't do any of this....

Wed Oct 19 2011 19:26

YOU BAMA AND AUBURN FANS JUST LOVE WHEN LSU HAS MISHAPS. BUT BEFORE YOU GO 'LAUGHING TO THE BANK' LSU WILL BE MORE THAN READY FOR AUBURN AS WELL AS ALABAMA. WHO'S THE #1 TEAM IN THE LAND? LSU! SOMEWHERE ALABAMA ISN'T....THEY HAVE THE BEST HEAD COACH IN THE NATION (LES MILES).....SO YOU CAN BET THAT HE HAS A SURPRISE OR TWO FOR BOTH TEAMS. IT SEEMS LSU COMES BACK FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS STRONGER. ABOUT ALL I CAN SAY TO END THIS, IS LET THE GAMES BE PLAYED AS THEY SHOULD BE AND THE BETTER TEAM WILL WIN ON OCTOBER 22ND AND NOVEMBER 5TH. THAT UNDENIABLY WILL BE LSU! GEAUX TIGERS!

Wed Oct 19 2011 18:54

i think that they should all learn that sec teams just arent as great as ppl make them sound , boise state could beat any sec team on every saturday and hopefully we get to see it in the champion ship game

Wed Oct 19 2011 17:52

That's a shame, considering the talent they bring to the team. Mathieu in the back field is a strong point on a great defense. That being said, these three guys aren't the whole team, I hope you bring it against Auburn. Good Luck on Saturday, from a Bama fan.

Wed Oct 19 2011 17:12

This is the sad reality. We, as fans, place our self esteem in the hands of these players. These players are more likely to get high than go to class. I feel so pathetic for caring so much when news like this breaks.

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:53

Honey badger dipping into the sauce?
It's looking good...
Roll Tide!

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:52

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:47

No worries guys and gals! This team has battled before and will continue to battle. GEAUX TIGERS.

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:35

This is what you deserve when you place football prowess over academic and social respectability. When you allow a program to win at all costs by recruiting athletes instead of student-athletes you will have to deal with the consequences. I was a student at LSU and place high value on intelligence and integrity in academia therefore I do not root for LSU nor do I have pride as an alum. Don't give me the excuse that most college students smoke weed. They smoke weed because they (for the most part) can. If Joe College knew there was testing and had the added pressure of being a part of a National Championship team, they would at least abstain until the off-season. That being said, this sucks.

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:34

Penalty for Positive NCAA Drug Test

Student-athletes found to be positive for a substance belonging to a banned drug class are subject to loss of eligibility as designated in Bylaw 18.4.1.5. The certifying institution may appeal to NCAA Competitive Safeguards Committee. A student-athlete who tests positive in accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Executive Committee shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition in all sports and shall remain ineligible until the student athlete retests negative.

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:33

OHHH YEAAAHH! WAR DAMN EAGLE! We will talk all that LSU wants to give us. Not having Mathieu is huge for Auburn. Let's get it!

Wed Oct 19 2011 16:11

Truly sad for the rest of the team annd the fans

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