COLLEGE FOOTBALL UPDATE : Top BC Rusher Declared Ineligible for Using Drug

Running back Tim Frager, Boston College’s leading rusher this season, has been declared ineligible for the remainder of the season for violating NCAA regulations regarding a prescription medication.

The school said Wednesday that Frager’s medication was on the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.’s list of 20 banned substances. The school didn’t say what the substance was, but emphasized it was not cocaine, marijuana or steroids.

Frager was randomly tested by the NCAA last week for steroids when the banned substance was found. The school said Frager was tested by the school’s own random-testing program three times this season, and all tests were negative.

The school appealed the NCAA finding on Monday, but the appeal was denied.

Head Coach Jack Bicknell said the drug was not prescribed by the team physician.

“I never sat down with the kids and said this is the 20 or so things on the list,” Bicknell said. “I just said no steroids and no drugs. In the appeal we were as forceful as we could be. . . . Looking back, it was probably doomed from the start because it was on the sheet of banned substances and Tim signed the sheet. It’s just a shame.”

Frager, who had gained 252 yards on 77 attempts for 3.3-yard average through seven games, is on schedule to graduate with his class this spring. He will continue his education and remain on scholarship, school officials said.

Syracuse defensive back Darrell Jones has been charged with sexual abuse and trespassing for allegedly fondling and harassing a 19-year-old student in her apartment, school officials said today.

The junior backup from Somerset, N.J., also has been suspended from the team and will not attend practice until allegations surrounding the incident are resolved, said sports information director Larry Kimball.

Jones, 21, was arraigned on second-degree criminal trespass and third-degree sexual abuse charges in city court Tuesday. He was released on his own recognizance pending a pretrial hearing Nov. 20.

A Syracuse University judicial board has scheduled a meeting to discuss the incident, which allegedly occurred Oct. 19, Kimball said.

“Right now he’s going to school and trying to clear up his name and reputation,” football Coach Dick MacPherson said.