Ohio State Receiver Faces Sex Charges

Ohio State receiver Albert Dukes is facing second-degree felony charges of lewd and lascivious battery after his arrest for allegedly forcing a 12-year-old girl to have oral sex and intercourse with him last summer.

If convicted, Dukes, 19, a freshman from Belle Glade, Fla., is facing 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Police filed a request for a warrant on Dec. 8, and Dukes turned himself in during a trip home on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty, posted a $2,000 bond and has since joined his teammates in San Antonio, where the Buckeyes are preparing for Wednesday’s Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State. His next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24.

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Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who broke two bones in his right hand during the Mid-American Conference championship game on Dec. 2, is expected to play Monday night against Connecticut in the Motor City Bowl.... Iowa State senior tight end James Wright (academics) and freshman tailback Tyease Thompson (violation of team rules) will not play for the Cyclones in Tuesday’s Independence Bowl against Miami of Ohio.

Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles suspended sophomore defensive tackle Brad Girtman. He is the second Cowboy player to be suspended in the last week. Cornerback Darrent Williams was sent home earlier.... Standout Oklahoma State junior running back Vernand Morency says he plans to return for his final season of eligibility. He is the nation’s eighth-leading rusher, averaging 145.4 yards a game. If Morency returns to Oklahoma State, he would be 26 by the NFL draft in 2006.... Michigan State receivers Irving Campbell and Terry Love and special teams player Mike Bell have been ordered to complete a diversion program for planting homemade bombs outside a campus apartment on Nov. 9.