Police are investigating whether four Gopher football players are connected to a sexual assault that happened earlier this month.
Corey Schmidt, the Minneapolis Police Department’s public information officer, confirmed to BringMeTheNews that police are investigating a case involving the four players who were suspended prior to Saturday’s game, adding “We are working to determine how they are involved.”
The Pioneer Press and WCCO are saying the case involves a 22-year-old woman who reported she was sexually assaulted around 3:55 a.m. on Sept. 2 – hours after Minnesota beat Oregon State in its season opener at TCF Bank Stadium.
The victim did get medical attention before making the report, according to the media outlets.
It’s not clear whether the football players were involved in the incident or if they were witnesses, the Pioneer Press says. They have not been arrested nor charged with any crime.
Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said Saturday he suspended cornerbacks KiAnte Hardin and Ray Buford, safety Dior Johnson and defensive end Tamarion Johnson because they “busted team rules.”
Claeys didn’t elaborate on what the players did, but said the team will deal with their suspensions day by day.
