Report: Four WVU players face charges

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., March 14 (UPI) -- Four West Virginia University football players face battery charges stemming from a recent fight outside a Morgantown, W.Va., bar, a report said Friday.

Morgantown police said Noel Devine, 20; Jock Sanders, 19; Brantwon Bowser, 20, and Eain Smith, 19, were involved in an altercation Feb. 16, the State Journal reported.

The newspaper said the players were arrested Thursday and arraigned in Municipal Court.

The four entered no-contest pleas, the newspaper said.

Devine, a running back, rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the Mountaineers' 48-28 Fiesta Bowl victory against Oklahoma.

Sanders, also a running back, saw significant action during his freshman season.

Smith, from Miramar, Fla., redshirted last season and Bowser, a sophomore, transferred from Phoenix College and is expected to compete for a starting safety position next season.

"Discipline with the situation has already been handled within the program," Coach Bill Stewart said.

All four players are expected to participate in spring practice.