Source: LSU players suspended for missing curfew

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NEW ORLEANS -- LSU is expected to be without two of its key players and two backups for at least the first quarter of Wednesday night's game against No. 11 Notre Dame in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome.

Tigers coach Les Miles suspended starting strong safety Jessie Daniels, running back/kick returner Trindon Holliday and backup linebackers Perry Riley and Kelvin Sheppard for missing curfew this week in New Orleans, an LSU official familiar with the situation said Wednesday.

An LSU official said Miles hasn't determined the length of the suspensions -- whether they will cover the first quarter, first half or entire game -- and has afforded the players ways to shorten their suspensions.

"We did have some players who violated team rules and their playing time will be affected accordingly," said LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette, who declined to identify the suspended players or the nature of their violations. "The violations were very minor in nature, but in the framework of the team they were significant."

Daniels, a senior from Breaux Bridge, La., has started the last 34 games he has played for the No. 4 Tigers, including 11 this season. He is fifth on the team with 46 tackles. Daniels would be replaced in the starting lineup by junior Craig Steltz, who had 39 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

Holliday, a freshman from Zachary, La., emerged as one of the country's most dynamic kick returners late in the season. He had a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of LSU's 31-26 win at Arkansas on Nov. 24. Holliday averages 32.4 yards on five kickoff returns and has run 13 times for 161 yards and one touchdown.

Riley, a freshman from Ellenwood, Ga., is a backup outside linebacker who had four tackles in seven games. Sheppard, a freshman from Stone Mountain, Ga., isn't listed on the team's two-deep depth chart.

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com.

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Mark Schlabach | email

College Football and Basketball

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• College football/basketball writer for ESPN.com
• Author of seven books on college football
• Formerly at the Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution