Penn State kicks DB Harriott off team, three to miss Saturday's game

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- A Penn State player has been kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules, and three others will miss this weekend's game against Oregon State because of a separate, off-field issue coach Joe Paterno said Thursday.

Reserve defensive back Willie Harriott is off the squad, Paterno said Thursday night on his weekly radio show. In November, Harriott, of New Haven, Conn., was arrested for driving under the influence and speeding.

Paterno also said Thursday that defensive linemen Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, and tight end Andrew Quarless will sit out Saturday's game against Oregon State. Paterno said he's still gathering information on a recent off-field incident.

Evans, Koroma and Quarless, along with cornerback A.J. Wallace, had been held out of Wednesday's practice for unspecified reasons. But Paterno said Thursday that Wallace would be available for the Oregon State game.

Of the three players who will sit out, Evans' absence might affect the Nittany Lions the most. The junior emerged as a pass-rushing force last season with 12½ sacks.

No. 19 Penn State has had to deal with a string of off-field issues over the last couple seasons.

Earlier this year, receiver Chris Bell was kicked off the team after police said he threatened a teammate with a knife in a dining hall. Bell had already been suspended at the time for another off-field issue.

Defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor got the boot last month for other off-field reasons.

Two separate fights in 2007 involving players also became distractions for the Nittany Lions.