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Notre Dame football: University to determine fate of four players

By The Sports Xchange
Notre Dame football Coach Brian Kelly chats with his team. File photo by Marc Serota/UPI
Notre Dame football Coach Brian Kelly chats with his team. File photo by Marc Serota/UPI | License Photo

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly delayed making a call on his starting quarterback for the season opener at Texas, and university administration will have to make another significant decision - whether to punish the four players arrested last week.

Kelly said he would keep his comments to the team following last weekend's arrest "amongst the team," but he summarized his thoughts on the arrests of cornerback Ashton White, wide receiver Kevin Stepherson, running back Dexter Williams and linebacker Te'von Coney. All four practiced Wednesday.

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"Like any other father, I think my first one was disappointment, and that disappointment kind of moved on to embarrassment to the university, and then I was mad as hell," Kelly said.

They were arrested on misdemeanor marijuana charges. Stepherson and Williams were charged with possession of a handgun without a license, another misdemeanor.

"You have to be prepared as a college coach, unfortunately, to deal with some poor decisions," Kelly said.

Kelly dismissed the fifth player involved in the incident, fifth-year senior safety Max Redfield, from the team.

Senior cornerback Devon Butler was arrested Saturday in a separate incident and was not involved in practice. Kelly said he was not part of any football activities, because he faces a felony charge that would result in dismissal from Notre Dame. Butler pleaded not guilty Wednesday felony counts of resisting law enforcement and battery against a public safety official.

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As for the competition between senior Malik Zaire and junior DeShone Kizer at quarterback could go right up until game day in Austin. Kelly said he will make the call as soon as he knows it's the right answer.

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