Brent Russell, a defensive tackle for Georgia Southern, was arrested early Sunday morning after police said he refused to obey officers’ orders to stop yelling profanities and leave the scene of a reported fight.
According to GSU coach Jeff Monken, Russell is suspended from the team indefinitely.
"He got in some trouble over the weekend, and right now, he’s not out here with us," Monken said after Monday’s practice. "He’s suspended until I decide he’s not anymore."
Russell, who was voted Southern Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year before the start of the 2012 season, had a half sack last Saturday in a 31-28 loss to Appalachian State. That brought his career sack total to 24, tying a school record.
Russell’s status for Saturday’s homecoming game against Howard at Paulson Stadium has yet to be decided, Monken said.
Georgia Southern University Police responded to University Plaza outside Rude Rudy’s around 1 a.m. Sunday after Statesboro police requested assistance for crowd control, according to an incident report by University Police Sgt. Tyrone McBride.
After the fight, officers were trying to subdue the crowd, and many people were trying to keep officers from detaining offenders, he stated in reports.
Most people obeyed orders to leave the area; however, McBride reported that Russell, 23, of Lanier Drive, not only refused to leave but cursed at officers, protesting their actions to clear the crowd. Russell shouted profanities, rushed up behind officers and ignored repeated orders to leave, McBride reported.
When Russell was handcuffed, he continued yelling, and said, "This is a (expletive deleted) charge."
Russell was charged with obstruction and disorderly conduct, then taken to the Bulloch County Jail, where he later posted bond.
Injury update
Sophomore fullback Dominique Swope, who leads the Eagles with 12 rushing touchdowns, did not play due to a concussion in the team’s last two games.
Swope is expected to return to contact in practice Wednesday.
"(On Tuesday) he’ll be in a helmet without contact, and on Wednesday, he’ll be in contact," Monken said. "We’re going to limit his contact. As protocol dictates, we’re going to go through that process, and he should be ready Saturday if there’s nothing that reoccurs."
The status for Saturday’s game against Howard for defensive back Darius Eubanks, who injured his shoulder attempting a diving interception against ASU, is still unknown.
Monken said the shoulder is not broken.
Quarterback Ezayi Youyoute suffered injuries to his knee and ankle in the game. His status for Saturday’s game is also in question.
"Hopefully (Youyoute) will be ready," Monken said. "We’re going to have to get (true freshman quarterback) Matt Dobson up to speed and make sure he’s ready to go."
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.
Matt Yogus may be reached at (912) 489-9408.