Saturday, May 3, 2008

LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux was kicked off the defending national championship team yesterday after a college career marked by legal and disciplinary problems.

Perrilloux "didn't fulfill his obligation as an LSU student-athlete," Coach Les Miles said in a statement.

Miles did not attribute his decision to any specific recent violation.

Still, it was clear Perrilloux's repeated breaking of team rules, and sometimes the law, made Miles worry whether it was worth keeping the talented heir-apparent to the starting job and risk another off-the-field distraction next season.

A backup to Matt Flynn last season, Perrilloux showed glimpses of great promise. Appearing in 12 of LSU's 14 games last season with two starts, Perrilloux completed 51 of 75 passes (68 percent) for 694 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Perrilloux also rushed 50 times for 207 yards and two touchdowns. He won MVP honors in the Tigers' Southeastern Conference championship game triumph over Tennessee.

-- From News Services