Embattled Player Is Expected to Travel With Mountaineers

A West Virginia player expelled from Notre Dame in a rape case and barred from the campus plans to be with the team when it plays Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

West Virginia officials said Wednesday that tailback Cooper Rego would be on the Notre Dame campus with the rest of the Mountaineers. They said the ban did not apply in this case because Rego was returning as part of a team.

“The bottom line is Cooper Rego was never charged or arrested for any crime that we’re aware of, and he’s going on about his normal activities, which means traveling with the team,” West Virginia spokeswoman Becky Lofstead said.

Rego was expelled from Notre Dame after a confidential disciplinary proceeding in 1998.

This week, Kori Pienovi, who graduated from Notre Dame in May, said Rego raped her there in 1997.

No criminal charges were filed, but Pienovi wants Notre Dame to enforce a school policy that bans expelled students from returning to campus.

Several victim advocacy groups have sided with her.

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Moore said the schools are discussing the issue and declined comment on West Virginia’s announcement.

Any student dismissed from Notre Dame for disciplinary reasons who attempts to return is asked to leave by campus security, Moore said.

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Florida’s leading rusher, junior tailback Earnest Graham, likely will miss Saturday’s game against Auburn because of an injured right ankle.