Florida Suspends Defensive Standout

Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas was suspended indefinitely Wednesday for a second violation of the school’s substance-abuse policy, leaving the fifth-ranked Gators without their top pass rusher.

Coach Urban Meyer said Thomas, a senior who leads the team with three sacks, will sit out at least Saturday’s game against Kentucky.

“He is suspended,� Meyer said. “The whole situation is under review. It’s under evaluation, and I’ll comment when it’s appropriate. There’s no timetable. Nothing is set in stone.�

Thomas spent part of Wednesday in meetings with school officials to appeal the suspension he received this week for marijuana use, his mother said. Sheila Mote said her son tested positive twice for marijuana between the middle of July and the end of August. She believes both results are from the same drug use.

Thomas is a three-year starter who has 138 tackles and 13 sacks.

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Indiana Coach Terry Hoeppner plans to rejoin the team Sunday, less than two weeks after brain surgery, and be ready for the Big Ten Conference opener Sept. 30 against Wisconsin.

“I’m honored to be here.... I’m honored to be anywhere today,� said Hoeppner, 59, who attended a board of trustees meeting to talk about proposed stadium improvements.

Hoeppner had surgery Sept. 13 and expected to be out two to four weeks. Doctors are uncertain if the new growth is a recurrence of a tumor removed in December.

“I feel great,� Hoeppner said. “The nurses are taking care of me.�