Four Minnesota Golden Gophers players will have their punishment stemming from a sexual assault investigation overturned or reduced, the Associated Press reports.
The four players who will have their discipline adjusted by the University of Minnesota panel that heard the case are quarterback Seth Green running back Kobe McCrary, cornerback Antonio Shenault and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Green, McCrary and Winfield Jr. were facing a one-year suspension while Shenault was originally hit with one year's probation.
That leaves six players who are still facing some sort of discipline from the alleged incident on Sept. 2, 2016. Per KSTP, the university's Office of Equality and Affirmative Action recommended the following: Cornerbacks Ray Buford Jr. and KiAnte Hardin, safety Dior Johnson and defensive end Tamarion Johnson had expulsions upheld. Quarterback Mark Williams had a one-year suspension upheld and running back Carlton Djam had an expulsion ruling reduced to a one-year suspension.
A statement from Minnesota obtained by KSTP read as follows...
We have received a number of inquiries about the football suspension matter. Please know that out of respect for the confidentiality of individuals involved in an athletic suspension, we can identify the existence of a suspension for individual student-athletes, but the law does not allow us to talk about further specifics about the events behind the suspensions. Title IX and other related proceedings are also confidential throughout the due process that the University's policies provide: EOAA investigation; OSCAI assessment; conduct code hearings; and any appeal to the Provost by any involved party.
Four players -- Buford, Hardin, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson -- were connected to the alleged incident following a game against Oregon State in which the female victim, who was part of game-day operations at TCF Bank Stadium, said she was pressured into having sex with multiple football players. The four were suspended for three games during an investigation, but no charges were brought during the process.
Still, the woman asked for restraining orders against the four plus Djam and cornerback Kiondre Thomas. The six players were suspended for an October game against Rutgers.
The EOAA report, however, led to to the 10 players being investigated. The football team threatened to boycott its Holiday Bowl appearance against Washington State, but ultimately decided to play in the game, a 17-12 win.
Shortly after the bowl game, Minnesota opted to fire coach Tracy Claeys, who openly supported his players during the boycott, and was replaced by former Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck.