AUSTIN, Texas -- A perturbed Mack Brown said he that suspended running back/kick returner D.J. Monroe and defensive back Marcus Davis both would be left home from the Longhorns' Big 12 championship game Saturday against Nebraska.
"I'm not going to play either one of this weekend," Brown said. "I told the team your focus needs to be on your family, your faith, your grades and your team. And if it's not, I'm not taking you."
Davis was arrested early Saturday in his hometown of Pearland, Texas, after he was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. He had received limited playing time this season, notching six tackles and four assists in eight games this season.
Monroe, who leads the Longhorns with a 35.8 yards per kick average and two touchdowns, was arrested on Nov. 15 on charges of driving while intoxicated. He has not seen action in the Longhorns' last two games.
"We will help young men who make poor decisions off the field," Brown said. "But we're not going to have them be a distraction for our team. Everybody who goes to Dallas will be focused on one thing and that's winning a Big 12 championship.
"These seniors have worked way too hard for freshmen to be a distraction. We're not going to let it happen. Period."
Texas senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley said that the incidents would not affect his team's preparation for Saturday's championship game.
"Obviously, we feel bad for those guys, but at the same time, we're focused about playing Nebraska," Shipley said. "We don't think about that stuff a lot. There's nothing we can do about it other than to tell everybody to try to keep everybody focused on the year."
"I'm not going to play either one of this weekend," Brown said. "I told the team your focus needs to be on your family, your faith, your grades and your team. And if it's not, I'm not taking you."
Davis was arrested early Saturday in his hometown of Pearland, Texas, after he was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. He had received limited playing time this season, notching six tackles and four assists in eight games this season.
Monroe, who leads the Longhorns with a 35.8 yards per kick average and two touchdowns, was arrested on Nov. 15 on charges of driving while intoxicated. He has not seen action in the Longhorns' last two games.
"We will help young men who make poor decisions off the field," Brown said. "But we're not going to have them be a distraction for our team. Everybody who goes to Dallas will be focused on one thing and that's winning a Big 12 championship.
"These seniors have worked way too hard for freshmen to be a distraction. We're not going to let it happen. Period."
Texas senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley said that the incidents would not affect his team's preparation for Saturday's championship game.
"Obviously, we feel bad for those guys, but at the same time, we're focused about playing Nebraska," Shipley said. "We don't think about that stuff a lot. There's nothing we can do about it other than to tell everybody to try to keep everybody focused on the year."
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Tim Griffin
Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
BIG 12 TEAM COVERAGE
