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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:24 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2007

CFB: Arkansas DE Harrison suspended after arrest

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas defensive end Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after being arrested late last night in Fayetteville on a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors.

The 23-year-old senior was driving near his apartment when an officer stopped him just after 11 p.m., according to a Fayetteville police report. The officer reported a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car when Harrison rolled down his window.

The officer asked Harrison to step out of the car. Harrison consented to a search and told the officer he had "just a pill" in a pocket of his cargo shorts, the report said. The officer found a small plastic bag containing one blue Ecstasy pill.

The officer reported finding one partially smoked marijuana cigar under the front seat of the car and another unsmoked cigar. Both tested positive for marijuana, according to the report.

The Washington County jail listed Harrison as being held on charges of possession of a controlled substance, speeding, driving with a restricted driver's license and not wearing a seat belt. He was also charged with failure to appear for a court date in another case.

Harrison remained in custody Saturday afternoon on $5,290 bail, a deputy at the jail said.

Coach Houston Nutt issued a statement Saturday afternoon that Harrison had violated team rules and would not play in the No. 21 Razorbacks' season opener against Troy on Sept. 1. Nutt said Harrison could face further disciplinary measures.

"I am deeply disappointed that any student athlete would put himself and his team in the position of losing a senior starter due to off-the-field conduct," Nutt said. "We will await the legal process and review his status in the coming weeks."

Harrison tore his anterior cruciate ligament in March during a spring practice. His recovery went well, and he was listed atop the depth chart Friday. Senior Chris Wade was listed as Harrison's backup.

Harrison started five games in 2006.