Colorado State has suspended quarterback Darius Curry and offensive lineman Liam Wortmann for the season finale for spitting at Boise State players during a road loss on Saturday night, the school announced on Sunday.
Redshirt freshman Curry, who was making his first career start in the 49-21 setback in Boise, Idaho, and redshirt senior Wortmann, who started all 11 games at right guard for the Rams (2-9, 1-6 Mountain West Conference), will miss the home game Friday against Air Force in Fort Collins, Colo.
The incident with Curry, caught on video and shared on social media but not resulting in a penalty, occurred in the second half when the Broncos appeared to recover a fumble that was later ruled an incomplete pass. Curry spat at Boise State pass rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan at the end of the play after the Broncos player had given him a one-handed shove during the return.
Any incident involving Wortmann during the game was left unclear.
“After having a chance to review the film following the game, I want to apologize to the Boise State football players, Coach (Spencer) Danielson, and everyone at Boise State University,” CSU interim head coach Tyson Summers said in a statement on Sunday.
CSU athletic director John Weber also apologized to the Boise State program for the “unacceptable” actions in the statement, which concluded, “While no penalties were assessed, these actions did not meet the Athletics Department’s and football program’s vision, mission, and standards of sportsmanship.”
The Mountain West also issued a statement supporting the suspensions and commending Colorado State “for acting swiftly and decisively to uphold the values of respect and sportsmanship that define our Conference.”
Danielson had said after the game that he didn’t see the spitting incident but had talked with referees, according to the Idaho Statesman.
Curry posted a statement on his X account on Sunday night, apologizing to Virgin-Morgan and the Boise State football program.
“What I did was unacceptable, disrespectful and completely against the values I’m expected to represent as a student-athlete,” he wrote. “I also want to apologize to my Colorado State teammates, coaches and our fans. I let you down. I allowed my emotions to get the best of me, and I crossed a line that should never be crossed.”
Curry also apologized to his parents and family.
“They raised me better than what I showed last night, and my actions didn’t reflect who I am or the values they taught me,” Curry wrote. “I take full responsibility. There’s no justification and no excuse. I will use this as a moment to grow, learn and make sure my actions reflect the standard of Colorado State University and the game of football.”
Curry, from Long Beach, Calf., has completed 70 of 107 passes for 740 yards and five touchdowns with seven interceptions. He began the season as the third-string QB behind Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who left the program after his benching, and Jackson Brousseau, who was injured a week earlier against New Mexico.
Wortmann, from Piedmont, Okla., transferred to Colorado State this year after four seasons at Division III Central Missouri.
–Field Level Media
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