Two Cal State Fullerton football players questioned...

Two Cal State Fullerton football players questioned by police about last week’s beating death of a Marine Corps sergeant have been suspended from the team by Coach Gene Murphy.

Murphy said he suspended the players--identified by the school as starting wide receiver John Gibbs and quarterback Carlos Siragusa--Friday after learning they were questioned in connection with the death of Staff Sgt. Richard William Bottjer.

Bottjer, 30, and another soldier from the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro got into a fight with several other men late Wednesday night outside a restaurant, police said.

Although police have said that several Fullerton football players were involved in the fight, detectives would not identify whom they have interviewed. No arrests have been made.

Fullerton Police Chief Philip Goehring said that Gibbs and Siragusa were questioned, but said they are considered only witnesses and not suspects.