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Hayes Demoted, Will Not Start

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Michael McGuffee

Published: September 25, 2007

Tallahassee - Tallahassee - FSU coach Bobby Bowden announced LB Geno Hayes will be demoted to second-team and will not start against Alabama on Saturday as punishment for misdemeanor charges following his arrest outside a local bar last week.

According to a prepared statement FSU released Tuesday evening, Hayes also must attend behavioral counseling, perform community service and adhere to other disciplinary actions set by Bowden.
Under FSU's disciplinary policy, punishment in regard to misdemeanor offenses are determined by the head coach and based primarily on the student-athletes behavioral history. The coach's decision is also reviewed by the university's director of athletics.

"I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates, fans and Florida State University for the incident that took place," Hayes stated in the release. "I have always taken pride in representing myself and this university in a positive manner, and unfortunately, I did not live up to those standards on this occasion. I realize I cannot make another mistake of this or any other nature."

Bowden has refused to speak on Hayes thus far, but said earlier in the week that he will comment on the situation after Wednesday's practice. Hayes, who is the team's second-leading tackler, did participate in practice Tuesday.

Hayes was arrested Friday outside of Potbelly's bar on three misdemeanor charges, including assault on a law-enforcement officer, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest without violence. FB Joe Surratt, also arrested in the incident, was charged with a felony and therefore is by policy not permitted to participate with the team until after the legal process.

HEALTH CONCERNS: The Seminoles could be without two key starters on the defensive line Saturday, as the status of DTs Andre Fluellen and Budd Thacker remains questionable.
Thacker leads all linemen with 13 tackles in three games, but he dislocated his big toe in practice last week. Fluellen, a senior who missed his first start in 26 games at Colorado, is still rehabbing torn ligaments in his left elbow.

"It feels all right," Fluellen said Tuesday. "It still gives me a little pain and it's just a little weak. It just gives me some problems when I try to push off and stuff like that."

Both players were confident recently they would be healthy in time for Alabama, saying they would play through the pain if necessary, but neither seemed nearly as sure after practice Tuesday.
"It [dislocated toe] doesn't hurt that bad to me, but the thing is you don't want to make it worse," Thacker said. Fluellen participated only in drills Tuesday, while Thacker ran some in shorts.

REED TO REDSHIRT? Freshman WR Bert Reed said after practice Tuesday that he expects to be redshirted this season and understands the decision.

"It depends on a couple other players right now and how they play, but I'm pretty sure it's going to happen," Reed said. ''I feel like I can help the team right now, but I got to do what helps the team. I'm kind of ready for the redshirt."

NOLE NUGGETS: News on the official status of WR Joslin Shaw is expected as early as today … TE Charlie Graham (hamstring) once again participated in parts of Tuesday's practice.

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