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Marve Respects Coach's Decision

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Former Plant star Robert Marve will miss the first game of his redshirt freshman season due to suspension, but says he understands the decision.

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A Tribune wire report

Published: August 25, 2008

CORAL GABLES - Miami quarterback Robert Marve apologized Sunday and said he respected Coach Randy Shannon's decision to suspend him from the opener.

Marve, the former Plant High standout who was expected to start Thursday's home game against Charleston Southern, will not be in uniform at Dolphin Stadium. His suspension stems from being arrested Oct. 31 on misdemeanor charges after breaking a car window in Coconut Grove. Freshman Jacory Harris will start in his place.

"I made a mistake," said Marve, a redshirt freshman. "I'm sorry for what I did. It was an accident. Of course, I would take it back if I could."

Shannon announced six other players are also suspended for the opener. He said the reasons ranged from academic-related issues to missing curfew. The players are running backs Damien Berry and Eric Houston, receiver Kayne Farquharson, safety Randy Phillips, defensive end Adewale Ojomo and long snapper Chris Ivory.

Phillips, Ojomo and Farquharson were all in contention of earning starting jobs or extended playing time.

It is also likely senior Eric Moncur and sophomore Allen Bailey, the projected starting defensive ends, will not play this week. Neither appeared on the depth chart released by the team. They have been limited in preseason practices while recovering from injuries.

Shannon also said wide receiver Tommy Streeter, defensive lineman Josh Holmes and offensive lineman Ben Jones will not play Thursday, but did not give a reason.

"Like I've said before when I took the job at the University of Miami, we are going to hold everybody to higher standards than most teams in the country," Shannon said. "We have our rules and our regulations as far as academics, curfew, study hall and doing the right thing in the classroom. We have guys who won't be in the game for those reasons and then we'll move forward."

Shannon said Marve will return as the starter the following week against Florida no matter how Harris performs. Despite the awkward timing, Shannon said he felt the suspension was a decision that had to be made.

"Some people may think this is a harsh decision for this university because I'm a stickler for doing the little things," Shannon said.

Harris was Florida's Mr. Football last year. He led Miami Northwestern to the Class 6A state championship.

"I'm excited right now because it's going to be my first college game," he said. "But at the same time, I've got to take it day by day."

Marve said he only found out in the last couple of days he would miss his first game as a Hurricane, but 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 was initially charged with two misdemeanors, but they were later lifted.

Marve won a state championship and was named "Mr. Florida Football" in 2006 as a senior at Plant.

He redshirted last season after breaking his wrist in a car crash in July 2007.

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