Eric Moreland Suspension Lifted Early

Late this evening, Oregon St. head coach Craig Robinson has lifted the suspension levied last summer against forward Eric Moreland.

Moreland was originally suspended from game participation until the start of winter term, which doesn't begin until Monday, for repeated unspecified violations of unspecified team rules.

That would have kept Moreland, who has been practicing with the team all fall and so far this season, on the bench for this weekend's Rocky Mt. road trip, which begins tomorrow night at Colorado, and also includes a stop off on the way home in Salt Lake City for a Saturday afternoon game against Utah.

With the 20th ranked Buffs off to an 11-2 start, and the Utes at 11-1, and a 2 point loss at Boise St. away from a perfect pre-season, it appears Robinson has recognized the need to pull out all stops to try to get at least a split of the only regular season games against Colorado and Utah this season (the Pac-12 schedule rotation does not provide for a return trip to Oregon for the Buffs and Utes this year),

Robinson did not elaborate beyond stating "Eric Moreland has fulfilled the requirements of his suspension, and is immediately eligible for competition." in a statement released tonight.

Subsequently, Robinson explained that the suspension was supposed to be for 1/2 of the season, based on calendar days, starting with the beginning of practice, not half the games, or until the term change. Better clarity at anytime in the last several months would have seemed more professional.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com