Missouri axes leading rusher after his sex assault charge

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri running back Derrick Washington was dismissed from the team Wednesday, two days after being charged with sexual assaulting a former tutor in her bedroom over the summer.

The school released a two-sentence statement that said the Tigers' leading rusher the past two seasons and a team captain had been "permanently suspended" from the football program.

Washington, a 21-year-old senior and Kansas City-area prep star, is accused of entering a former Missouri tutor's closed bedroom while visiting her roommate and assaulting the woman while she slept. The woman obtained a court order of protection that expired in July.

Washington, who faces a single felony count of deviate sexual assault, will remain on scholarship as long as he meets his academic requirements. He declined comment when reached on his cell phone.

Coach Gary Pinkel indefinitely suspended Washington last week without disclosing details. The timing of Washington's initial suspension was questioned since his appointment as one of four team captains and a school-paid trip to Dallas for the Big 12 Conference's annual preseason media gathering occurred after the protection order was issued in late June.

The civil protection order expired on July 21 after both Washington and his accuser didn't show up in court. On Monday, Washington's attorney said his client was never served with the order.

Missouri faces Illinois on Saturday in St. Louis. Pinkel has named sophomore Kendial Lawrence and junior De'Vion Moore as likely starters, with true freshmen Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy also expected to play.

Washington's arrest and dismissal marks the fourth off-field legal problem for the Missouri program since early August.

Reserve tight end and long snapper Beau Brinkley was charged with driving while intoxicated earlier this week. Reserve linebacker Will Ebner and assistant coach Bruce Walker were also arrested this summer for possible drunken-driving violations.