Hokies Suspend Two After Arrest

Ellis, Morgan Will Miss One Game

Virginia Tech defensive end Chris Ellis and wide receiver Josh Morgan have been suspended for Saturday's game against Georgia Tech for violating team policy, the team announced in a news release yesterday.

The players were arrested early Sunday morning outside a row of off-campus bars and charged with obstructing a police officer, said Lt. Joe Davis of the Blacksburg Police Department.

Police responded to a call at 1:50 a.m. Sunday on the 100 block of Draper Road after being alerted that a large crowd, with Morgan and Ellis in it, had gathered on the street and appeared on the brink of erupting into a fight.

"Officers arrived to observe Morgan exhibit behavior that was disorderly in nature," Davis said. "They went to take him into custody for disorderly conduct. He tried to back into the crowd and refused to submit to arrests when the officers told him he was under arrest."

Officers then gave Morgan a quick blast of pepper spray to subdue him, Davis said. That is when Ellis interceded, Davis said.

"They advised him to stay back, and he refused the officers' command," Davis said. "He was also arrested, charged with obstructing the officer."

An initial court date is set for Oct. 5 in Blacksburg General District Court, at which point the players will be arraigned and a trial date will be set. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The trial likely would take place within a month, Davis said.

The players were never placed in jail; they were released by a magistrate.

Davis did not know whether the altercation was fueled by alcohol. "If they were obviously intoxicated, I'm sure the magistrate would have kept them," Davis said.

Coach Frank Beamer and director of football operations John Ballein declined to comment. Ellis did not respond to phone messages, and Morgan could not be reached.

"That's not my son," said Laurie Ellis, Chris's mother. "He doesn't do that. It had to be something major for him to step in. I don't know what else you want me to tell you."

Beamer has not decided who will replace the players, both juniors and two of the Hokies' best. Ellis has 12 tackles and a sack this season, while Morgan (H.D. Woodson) has caught 10 passes for 161 yards. He also has blocked two punts and has returned punts.

The Hokies have depth at defensive end and wide receiver. Backup defensive ends William Wall and Orion Martin have combined for 4 1/2 sacks -- with Wall getting three against Duke -- and play regularly in Tech's rotation.

At wide receiver, Virginia Tech expects David Clowney to play after undergoing an emergency appendectomy last Thursday, which was supposed to keep him out at least through the Georgia Tech game. He told coaches he'd like to play this week, and head trainer Mike Goforth said Clowney is probable.

"David's a tough guy," Goforth said. "He's one of the toughest guys we have."

Third-string quarterback Cory Holt, who has been practicing at wide receiver for three weeks but has yet to play, could help alleviate Morgan's absence.

The suspensions come on the eve of one of No. 11 Virginia Tech's toughest games. The Hokies have used a schedule of weak opponents to start 4-0, and No. 24 Georgia Tech is by far the best team the Hokies will have faced this season and is currently Virginia Tech's closest competition in the ACC's Coastal Division. The game will be played at Lane Stadium on Saturday at 3:30.

Hokies Note: Backup running back George Bell, a redshirt sophomore whose career is in jeopardy because of his balky knees, will wait another week before deciding about his future. Bell, at one point a heralded recruit, has not been with the team for a week while mulling whether to continue his playing days.

"I want to make sure we give him every opportunity to get this thing right," Beamer said.