Running back, receiver violated Honor Code

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PROVO, Utah -- Brigham Young running back Marcus Whalen and wide receiver Breyon Jones, both facing criminal charges, have had their suspensions from school for violating its Honor Code confirmed.

The players had previously learned of the suspension, but had appealed. On Wednesday, they were told that the decision to suspend them until January was final.

Whalen's suspension appears to end his college football career.

His eligibility expires at the end of the next football season. He has enrolled at Southern Utah University, and hoped to play there next season. However, NCAA rules prohibit a player under suspension at one member institution from playing at another member school during the period of the suspension.

Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, the two cannot return to BYU during the suspension period, the university said.

"Marcus and Breyon, if they meet the conditions set by the Honor Code Office and are free from the jurisdiction of the court, could return to BYU winter semester 2005," university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said.

Whalen, 22, and Jones, 21, are charged with robbery, assault and making a false statement to police.

They are accused of beating up and taking cash from an acquaintance, Yussufu Nsabimana, during an April 14 argument over money. Nsabimana said he was attacked twice after the three of them and another acquaintance had been drinking at a Provo bar and argued.

Four other Cougar football players also received sanctions this year for honor-code violations.

Running back Reynaldo Brathwaite was expelled and cornerbacks James Allen and Shannon Benton and defensive tackle C.J. Ah You were suspended after an investigation into a January 2004 party where sex and alcohol were involved. The BYU Honor Code prohibits alcohol and extramarital sex, among other things.

Whalen led BYU in rushing in 2002 when he ran for 918 yards. He gained just 152 yards last season after he broke his foot during warm-ups before the season-opener.

Jones, a junior from Round Rock, Texas, red-shirted in 2001 and saw limited action as a reserve receiver the past two seasons.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press

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