The Michigan Wolverines are currently preparing for their bowl game, but will be without a few key players when they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on New Year's Eve.
The school has suspended three players for the Outback Bowl, including starting cornerback J.T. Floyd, senior linebacker Brandin Hawthorne and punter Will Hagerup. The three will not travel with the team to Tampa Bay and were suspended due to violations of team rules.
"It is an honor to play football for the University of Michigan and we have high standards and expectations for everyone that represents our program," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said in a statement, according to ESPN.com. "These young men used poor judgment in each circumstance, and these suspensions are teaching moments for our team."
Since Hawthorne and Floyd are seniors, it means they will miss the final game of their college careers.
Floyd was a starter for the past two seasons and Michigan and made 48 total tackles with five passes defended in 12 games this year. Last season he had 31 solo tackles, with one forced fumble and eight passes defended. Over his Michigan career he had 179 tackles, 18 pass breakups and three interceptions. He had his best game this season against Minnesota making a season-high six tackles with two passes defended.
According to Michigan Daily, Floyd grew up in South Carolina and had the chance to play against his home-state school in front of his uncle, who played football at South Carolina.
Hawthorne is primarily a special team's player, but played at linebacker last season, making 43 tackles with one interception and one pass defended. This year he has made 19 tackles in 12 games played. Hawthorne's best performance this season came in a win over Massachusetts when he made seven tackles, including three solo. During his career he has recorded 63 tackles and one interception.
The loss of Hagerup may be the hardest for the Wolverines to overcome. The junior was named the Big Ten's punter of the year this season while averaging 45 yards per punt. He hit a season-long 62-yard punt against Alabama and had at least one punt attempt in every game except against Notre Dame.
Hagerup was previously suspended twice in his career. He was suspended last season by Hoke for violating team rules and was also suspended by former head coach Rich Rodriguez for the Ohio State game in 2010. The punter has averaged 41.8 yards per punt in his career and punted 33 times this season.
He set a career high with 13 50-plus yard punts this year and has had only one punt blocked in his three year career. Hagerup was previously used for kickoffs, but has been primarily a punter the past two seasons.
Hagerup had a season-high six punts against Alabama and put up a season-high average of 57.0 yards per punt against Purdue.
The Wolverines are facing a tough matchup against South Carolina, who is ranked 10th in the nation with a 10-2 record this year. Michigan is dealing with some injuries in the secondary and will have their depth tested in the Outback Bowl.
The starting cornerbacks for the game will likely be sophomore Raymon Taylor and junior Courtney Avery, who have less experience than Floyd. The two cornerbacks have combined for just two interceptions this season and will have to work hard to cover Gamecock's receivers Bruce Ellington and Ace Sanders. Hoke also said that running back Dennis Norfleet, who moved to corner back in the final regular season game, could also see time at the position.
The loss of one of the Big Ten's best punters will put Michigan in some tough field position spots against South Carolina. Sophomore kicker Matt Wile will start the game as the punter and has only made on field goal this season.
The Wolverines started the season ranked eighth in the country, but lost its opening game 41-14 to No. 2-ranked Alabama. The team rebounded to win five of the next six games, including a 12-10 win over Michigan State, but lost the following week 23-9 to Nebraska.
After winning the next three games, Michigan dropped its last game to Ohio State 26-21. The team scored at least 35 points in three of the last four games of the season and were ranked 58th in scoring in the nation. The team had a stout defense, allowing just 18.8 points per game.
Michigan's opponent in the Outback Bowl also handed out suspensions for the game.
South Carolina suspended two players for violating team rules, including wide receiver D.L. Moore and offensive lineman Kyle Harris. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said on Saturday that the two players will not travel with the team to Tampa for the game.
Moore started five games this year and made eight receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. He is a fifth-year senior and will not play in his final career game. In five seasons he has made 40 catches for 454 yards and six touchdowns. Harris has only started one game as a redshirt freshman and he is likely to transfer, according to CollegeFootballTalk.com.
HERE is the full schedule of college bowl games for the 2012 season.
