Croom disciplines six football players

STARKVILLE, Miss., April 4 (UPI) -- Mississippi State football Coach Sylvester Croom said Tuesday that disciplinary action will be taken against six members of the 2006 Bulldog football team.

The six were arrested on assault charges stemming from an incident at Level III, a facility in downtown Starkville, on Saturday.

Four of the players are sophomores -- defensive backs Keith Fitzhugh and Derek Pegues, offensive lineman Michael Gates, and defensive lineman Charles Burns -- and two redshirt freshmen -- defensive lineman Quinton Wesley and quarterback Tray Rutland.

Croom said all six players would be suspended indefinitely from the team. He also said that the six players would face an 11 p.m. curfew through the end of the spring semester and be required to participate in on-campus sensitivity counseling and training. Pending the outcome of the judicial process, further action could take place.

"It is my intent to discipline our players as if they were my own son, my own flesh and blood," said Croom.