UMichigan investigates players work hours

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- University of Michigan football Coach Rich Rodriguez says he never forced his players to exceed the league-mandated 20-hour weekly practice limit.

The university has opened an investigation into whether players exceeded NCAA practice limits, The Detroit News reported Monday.

"We know the practice and off-season rules and we stay within the guidelines, "Rodriguez said in a statement Sunday.

Several former Michigan players have said the number of hours they practiced under Rodriguez exceeded 20 hours a week, but they didn't know enough to complain, or believed other schools kept the same schedule, the News reported.

"Yes, we were there all day, it seemed sometimes," said Morgan Trent, a former Michigan cornerback in his first season with the Cincinnati Bengals. "But if you expect to win, that's the sacrifice you make."

Michigan was 3-9 for the season in 2008, Rodriguez's first year as Michigan's coach.