Tennessee suspends trio arrested after bar fight

Three Tennessee players were suspended Monday after their arrests on charges of disorderly conduct and underage drinking at a nightclub after the Volunteers’ loss to Louisiana State.

Starting tailback Arian Foster, safety Antonio Wardlow and fullback David Holbert, each 20 years old, were charged with disorderly conduct and underage consumption of alcohol. Wardlow also was charged with public intoxication.

Authorities said Holbert and Wardlow were fighting each other outside Good Fellas nightclub in Knoxville when they were confronted by the police.

“The three young men who were arrested let their teammates, coaches, administration and great fans down,” Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Their behavior is an example ... [of] when immature male ego mixes with alcohol and stupidity.”

Fulmer suspended Foster for the first half of Saturday’s matchup against Arkansas, and Holbert for the game. Wardlow will not play against the 11th-ranked Razorbacks and also is suspended for Tennessee’s game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 18.

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Joe Paterno wants to coach this weekend, but don’t look for him to pace the sidelines in his blue Penn State jacket and rolled-up khakis.

The 79-year-old coach was listed in good condition Monday at Mt. Nittany Medical Center after an 80-minute operation a day earlier on his broken shin bone and two torn knee ligaments. The injuries stemmed from a sideline hit during last week’s loss to Wisconsin.

He was expected to be remain in the hospital through today, assistant athletic director Jeff Nelson said.

Paterno plans to coach Saturday against Temple, though it’s unclear if that means from the Beaver Stadium sidelines or a coach’s box.

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Northern Colorado punter Rafael Mendoza left a Greeley, Colo., courtroom visibly shaken after his former backup appeared before a judge on charges of trying to kill Mendoza by stabbing him in his kicking leg.

Mitch Cozad is charged with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault in the Sept. 11 attack on Mendoza. Police say they believe Cozad attacked Mendoza to get his starting job.

The judge scheduled two more hearings but declined to rule on motions by Cozad’s attorney to close a Jan. 19 preliminary hearing, limit pretrial publicity and keep the arrest warrant affidavit sealed.

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Navy has accepted an invitation to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 30 and will match up against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference, bowl executive director Will Webb said.

The Midshipmen (6-3) will play in a bowl game for the school-record fourth straight year.

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Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema said initial signs were encouraging that quarterback John Stocco will be able to play against Iowa after injuring his throwing shoulder Saturday against Penn State.