COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Bruce Reportedly Admits Violations

Earle Bruce, fired as Colorado State coach, acknowledged committing NCAA violations and punching players.

Bruce said he violated rules about days off for players and off-season coaching, according to a story in the Coloradoan in Ft. Collins on Thursday. The school cited rules violations as a reason for his firing Monday.

University officials said Bruce punched at least nine players “with a closed fist in unprotected areas of their bodies.”

“But I don’t think I ever hit anyone hard enough to hurt them,” Bruce was quoted as saying.

Colorado State claimed Bruce breached his contract and said it would not pay the $180,000 remaining on it.

Bruce denied using racist and demeaning comments in conversations with university employees and campus police, and denied that he condoned or directed players to receive injections of painkillers.

Marshall Faulk participated in eight to 10 plays in practice, and San Diego State Coach Al Luginbill said he would wait until Saturday to decide whether the running back would play against Miami.

Luginbill said Faulk must be at 100% to play against the top-ranked Hurricanes. The Aztecs (5-4-1) won’t practice today, but trainer Brian Barry was to run Faulk through a workout.

“He was at about 75 to 80%,” spokesman John Rosenthal said.

Faulk, the leading rusher in major college football, sprained his knee at the end of a 19-yard run on San Diego State’s first play from scrimmage in a 45-41 loss to Fresno State last Saturday.