Bellotti: LeGarrette Blount didn't hit me

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Former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti disputed a report in Friday's Portland Oregonian that said former Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount inadvertently punched him during a skirmish at practice two years ago.

Bellotti, now a college football analyst for ESPN, said there was a scuffle among players that resulted in some pushing and shoving, but denies a punch was thrown by anyone -- including Blount.

The Oregonian reported that Blount threw a punch during all of the shoving, missing teammates Jairus Byrd and Jerome Boyd but hitting Bellotti "square" in the face.

The story cited two unnamed Oregon football players and a former assistant coach as describing the incident, which happened during a practice two years ago at Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

Blount has been in the news for throwing punches -- first at a Boise State player a year ago after the Ducks' season-opening loss to the Broncos, and most recently for a short punch to the helmet of Tennessee Titans teammate Eric Bakhtiari.

Blount was suspended for eight games for his punch at Oregon; he was not punished for his punch at the Titans' training camp.

"He apologized, and I said he didn't have to apologize," Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said. "It's football. It's training camp."

Blount is trying to make the Titans as a undrafted free agent.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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