Arkansas will face Virginia Tech in Thursday night's Belk Bowl without tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, as the Razorbacks announced hours before kickoff that Sprinkle had been suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team."
"Jeremy's suspension has been known by our staff and players for several days so we've had a chance to prepare our game plan accordingly," coach Bret Bielema said in a release. "Throughout his career and this season as a graduate student-athlete, Jeremy has displayed numerous times the qualities we want to represent our program. We have standards within our family that must be upheld on a daily basis and unfortunately he failed to do that in the last week. Jeremy's suspension isn't drug, alcohol or violence related but one that will cause him to miss his final game as a Razorback."
The school did not say what the suspension was for specifically, but according to Jason Kersey at SEC Country, Sprinkle's suspension stems from an attempt at shoplifting during the team's shopping spree at Belk earlier in the week.
Arkansas players received a $450 gift card to spend in 90 minutes at the SouthPark Mall in Charlotte on Tuesday, and according to Kersey, Sprinkle attempted to take items worth more than his gift card's value.
Sprinkle was the Razorbacks' top tight end this season,with 33 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns -- making him the fourth leading receiver on the team.
