UNC Suspends Davenport, Hall
North Carolina senior quarterback Oscar Davenport has been suspended for this weekend's game with Wake Forest for violating unspecified team rules, coach Carl Torbush said Monday.
Torbush also announced Monday that offensive lineman Jon Hall will remain suspended for the rest of the season. Hall, a fourth-year junior guard, pleaded no contest to simple misdemeanor assault involving a female student at North Carolina.
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Davenport was injured on the fourth play of the Tar Heels' season-opening loss to Miami of Ohio. He missed the rest of that game and the following week's loss to Stanford.
Davenport played in the Tar Heels' loss to Georgia Tech on Sept. 26 and started North Carolina's wins the following weeks against Clemson and Pittsburgh. Davenport is 34-of-63 for 428 yards and three touchdowns.
"It's unfortunate to have to do this, but the team has rules by which all players must abide, regardless of one's position on the team," Torbush said. "I'm disappointed for our team and for Oscar, but it's a situation we have to deal with and continue to prepare for our game with Wake Forest."
Freshman Ronald Curry will start for the Tar Heels (2-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) against Wake Forest (3-3, 2-1).
Davenport is 7-2 as a starter, his only losses coming against Florida State last season and the Miami game. Davenport failed to complete both of those games due to injuries. Curry is 0-2 as a starter, losing to Stanford and Georgia Tech this season while subbing for the injured Davenport.
"Oscar's season is not over," Torbush said. "He'll be allowed to practice this week anis eligible to return to game action against Florida State" on Oct. 31."
Hall started at right guard in the Miami game but was suspended the following week by Torbush after he was charged with misdemeanor assault. Hall was ordered to pay court costs in Orange District Court on Oct. 9, and the charge will be removed from his record if he meets certain conditions.
Hall will not be allowed to practice with the team but will remain on athletic scholarship, Torbush said.
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