Rutgers dismisses quarterback Philip Nelson accused in assault

Former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson leaves the Blue Earth County jail with a towel over his head after posting $20,000 bail in his assault case stemming from a fight outside a bar.

By Wire reports

May 13, 2014 6:34 PM PT

Rutgers dismissed quarterback Philip Nelson from its football program after he was charged in an assault that left another man critically injured, while authorities announced Tuesday that a second suspect had been arrested.

Rutgers football Coach Kyle Flood announced Nelson’s dismissal Tuesday in a statement. Nelson, a high school football star in Mankato, Minn., was a quarterback for Minnesota but transferred to Rutgers.

He was charged Monday with two counts of felony assault in a weekend fight that left Isaac Dallas Kolstad, 24, severely injured. Authorities say Nelson, 20, kicked Kolstad in the head after another man punched Kolstad as bars were closing early Sunday in downtown Mankato.

The incident was captured on surveillance cameras, and authorities said Tuesday that they had arrested the man whom they believe punched Kolstad. The 21-year-old man was expected to be charged Wednesday.

Nelson’s attorney has said his client was not the aggressor and that it’s not clear who caused Kolstad’s injuries.