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LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- Five Utah State football players face misdemeanor drug charges two weeks before practice begins.
"I am very disappointed, especially with the timing with us going into camp. It is a group of young players who made a bad decision," coach Brent Guy said. "We will handle this internally, and there will be disciplinary action."
The players allowed police to search an apartment where a neighbor reported the smell of burning marijuana on Saturday.
"They were up front and honest in their use of a small amount of marijuana," Logan Police Lt. Brad Franke said. "All were issued citations and released at the scene."
The players are receiver Kendall Fisher, 19, defensive lineman Steven Downs, 19, tailback Marcus Cross, 21 and offensive linemen Brennan McFadden and Ryan Tonnemacher, who are both 19.
A sixth player in the apartment was not charged but remains under investigation, he said.
The men are charged with possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors that carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail.
Guy, who was attending the Western Athletic Conference media day in Boise, Idaho, would not say how he planned to punish the players. The Aggies start practice Aug. 9.
Earlier this year, receiver Dionte Holloway was dismissed from the team after being arrested for marijuana possession.
Quarterback Jerod Walker was also dropped. He was accused of marijuana possession and aggravated sexual assault. ------ Information from The Herald Journal: http://www.hjnews.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-07-26-06 1657MDT
