Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill will not play “a significant portion” of the Pinstripe Bowl due to his arrest in December, SU head coach Doug Marrone announced in a press release on Friday.

Marrone said on Wednesday on ESPN CNY Radio that Spruill would play in the bowl game against West Virginia on Jan. 29 at Yankee Stadium. Steve Rene, who was arrested with Spruill, is out for the bowl game due to injury so Marrone said Rene will not play “a significant portion” of the next game he can play in.

Spruill and Rene both appeared in Syracuse City Court on Wednesday. The case was adjourned until Jan. 30.

Spruill faces second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct charges, while Rene faces disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges.

The players were arrested on Dec. 2 when police responded to an incident at Euclid Avenue. Rene was in the road before an officer took him to the side of the street. He returned to the street at the intersection of Livingston and Euclid Avenues, where an officer again approached him and grabbed his shirt. Spruill then attempted to pull the officer away from Rene.

Both players were placed in the back of a police car. Spruill kicked the inside of the car and nearly struck an officer when he kicked the rear door of the car open.

Marrone’s decision comes after completing an “assessment of the facts” surrounding the arrests.

Spruill has played in all 12 games this season and is fourth on the team with 62 tackles.

Published on December 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu