Football players disciplined

By BRIAN WEAVER

Dave Wannstedt announced that he is taking disciplinary actions against two players on the… Dave Wannstedt announced that he is taking disciplinary actions against two players on the Pitt football team.

In a statement released Wednesday, the head coach said that he had dismissed wide receiver Allen Richardson and suspended defensive tackle Nick Williams.

Richardson, a sophomore who sits far down the depth chart at wide receiver, was dismissed for an incident involving a BB gun and marijuana, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He has had at least one previous clash with the coaching staff.

Before the Panthers’ 16-10 overtime loss to the Ohio Bobcats, Richardson incurred the staff’s wrath when he listened to an iPod during a team meeting. He was sent home from Athens, Ohio, before the Sept. 9 game.

Nick Williams has been suspended since his part in an altercation after a party following Pitt’s victory over Youngstown State, the Post-Gazette reported. Williams, who saw action in three of Pitt’s first four games, has one solo tackle so far this year. He has played a reserve role behind starters Thomas Smith and Phil Tillman.

He began serving his two-week suspension soon after the incident occurred. He did not travel to Piscataway, N.J., for the Pitt game last Friday, a 37-29 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

His suspension prohibits him from any team-related activity. Therefore, he has not practiced with the team since the altercation. He will continue to be barred until at least the end of this Saturday’s game against Cincinnati.