Miami suspends 7 for opener vs. CSU

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami coach Randy Shannon wanted to avoid a quarterback controversy similar to last year, so he declared Robert Marve his starter Sunday night.

Marve's first start for the Hurricanes will have to wait until Game 2, however.

He and six others were suspended by coach Randy Shannon for the Hurricanes' opener and debut at Dolphins Stadium on Thursday night against Charleston Southern.

Marve, a redshirt freshman, will miss the game due to an incident stemming back to last year. He was arrested Oct. 31 for smashing a car mirror and was initially charged with two misdemeanors. Those were later lifted, but Marve is being punished by the University now.

He will be replaced by true freshman Jacory Harris, a Miami native.

The other suspended players are running backs Damien Berry and Eric Houston, defensive end Adewale Ojomo, defensive back Randy Phillips, wide receiver Kayne Farquaharson and long snapper Chris Ivory. Miami officials would not say why those six were suspended.

Of the group, Ojomo had the best chance to start. He would have replaced Allen Bailey and Eric Moncur. Both Moncur and Bailey were not on the depth chart that Shannon released, and have been held out of practice for most of the fall for conditioning-related reasons.

Shannon said Marve's suspension wasn't a surprise and he didn't tell Marve about it earlier because he wanted him and the other quarterbacks to "have a chance to compete."

Marve said he was OK with the decision. "I trust whatever he did," Marve said. "I messed up, so it's best for the team and I'm here for them."

Marve, Harris and Cannon Smith were in a three-way competition for the starting position. But Marve distanced himself from the two, and was taking snaps with the first team throughout most of fall camp.

Harris said he was thrilled about having the opportunity to start at home in front of friends and family and was going to use the start as an audition.

"This is an opportunity for me to prove myself and showcase my skills and showcase my leadership so that's how I'm looking at it," Harris said.

Shannon said Marve was his starter for Game 2 against No. 5 Florida, no matter how well Harris plays.

"Jacory will play in every game," Shannon said. "Robert Marve will be the starter. We will not have a controversy. If a guy like Jacory can go in and have a tremendous game, Robert Marve still will be the starter. We have to build depth at that position."

Last year, Kirby Freeman and Kyle Wright took turns at quarterback with neither having much success.

--Alabama coach Nick Saban figures eight to 10 freshmen will play significant roles Saturday when the 24th-ranked Tide takes on No. 9 Clemson at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

"If we're going to keep these guys and we're going to play them this year, then just go ahead and play them," Saban said. "They may make some mistakes early, but I think in the long run it will make us a better team."

Among the candidates for early playing time are wide receiver Julio Jones and linebacker Don'ta Hightower.

Jones, the top-rated receiver in the country as a prep senior, has attracted the most buzz. The 6-4, 210-pounder has drawn effusive praise from teammates, and some compliments from Saban, who doesn't single out many freshmen. Jones had 184 yards on seven catches in Alabama's two preseason scrimmages.