Texas Tech suspends 3 for bowl game

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HOUSTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Starting cornerback Cornelius Douglas and two other Texas Tech players Monday were suspended from the upcoming Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

Texas Tech spokesman Blayne Beal told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Douglas, defensive tackle Leon Mackey and linebacker Chris Payne would be absent when the Red Raiders play Minnesota in Friday's bowl game.

Acting head Coach Chris Thomsen said two of the players were suspended for missing practices without notifying coaches in advance while the third was sanctioned for reasons he wasn't allowed to specify due to privacy laws.

The newspaper said Mackey is a backup defensive tackle, while Payne has played almost exclusively on special teams.

The announcement came as the Red Raiders (7-5) were beginning practice sessions in Houston for the contest against the Golden Gophers (6-6) to be played at Reliant Stadium.