Charleston Southern released a statement regarding the players that will serve their one-game suspension this weekend against Florida State. There were 32 players suspended in total; with 16 having already served their one game suspensions. There are 14 players that will not take the field in the upcoming contest. The university released the following statement:
Charleston Southern University will withhold 14 players from Saturday’s football game at Florida State. CSU self-reported to the NCAA financial aid violations related to book purchases. In total, 32 football players must serve a one-game suspension. Sixteen student-athletes suspensions were staggered over the first two weeks of the season and two additional players will serve their suspensions at a later date.
Under NCAA rules, student-athletes may purchase books and school supplies with financial aid provided to them to purchase books. Other items cannot be covered by that financial aid.
CSU is continuing an internal review of possible NCAA rules violations within the athletics program. The university is working with the NCAA, the Big South Conference and an outside consultant during the process.
Originally, three players had posted on social media that half the team would be suspended for the game; with offensive lineman Frank Cirone saying the entire offensive line would miss the game.