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The Grand Market Place at USC's Russell House after Thursday's altercation
GoGamecocks.com
Five players involved in lunchtime brawl
Police list players as victims after a lunch-time incident at the student union
Five USC football players who were involved in an on-campus brawl with non-students Thursday are not expected to face charges.
Campus police are investigating the altercation that occurred during lunch hour at the busy Grand Market Place food court at the Russell House in the heart of campus.
Each of the football players named in the incident report was listed as a victim in the civil disturbance: receiver C.C. Whitlock, offensive lineman Terrence Campbell, defensive lineman Melvin Ingram and defensive backs Akeem Auguste and Antonio Allen.
The report lists the suspects as unknown, although university spokesman Russ McKinney said the other combatants do not go to USC.
“It appears that individuals who are definitely non-USC students entered the Russell House and the altercation ensued,” McKinney said.
Asked about any possible punishment for the players, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said he would let USC’s police and administration handle the situation.
“You need to call the university police and ask them what happened. I wasn’t there,” Spurrier said. “I’ve just heard second-hand reports that there was a little fracas, a little tussle between some people we don’t know and some of our football players. ... We’ll let the police and university tell us exactly what happened and what we need to do.”
McKinney said police are investigating whether the fight was gang-related.
“At this point, there is no reason to think that’s the case,” he said. “But that is something that’s being looked at.”
None of the five players involved has played much, if at all, this season. Spurrier talked this week about possibly getting Whitlock, a freshman from Chester, more involved in the offense.
All five players attended Thursday’s practice, although USC does not allow players to talk to the media on Thursdays or Fridays.
Spurrier said none of the players was injured in the brawl, which resulted in a number of overturned tables and chairs, according to witnesses.
USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said: “The only thing I think I know about it is we’re victims.”
McKinney said no one was injured and there was no property damage at the student union.
A university food service employee reported the fight to police, who responded around 1:15 p.m. and spent nearly 1 ½ hours at the scene. The officers interviewed the players, according to the report.
Spurrier said he does not think the incident will be a distraction as the Gamecocks get ready for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Georgia.
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