Running back Damion Fletcher will miss the first half of Southern Miss' home game with Houston on Saturday.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman from Biloxi was suspended by head coach Jeff Bower for missing bed check last week, following a 20-6 loss at Tulsa. Southern Miss (3-2, 1-1) faces the Cougars at 6 p.m.
"Damion will learn from this," Southern Miss offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. "It's an unfortunate thing that happened, but Damion will be fine. Our plans are to get him back in the game in the second half.
"It's unfortunate for Damion, but he's still in our plans. I think coach (Jeff Bower) feels like Damion has learned his lesson. I look for him to be right back in there and continue to do what he does best."
With Fletcher on the bench, look for senior Conrad Chanove, a former walk-on, to get the bulk of the work against Houston (4-2). C.J. Barrows will also see action behind Chanove.
Through five games, Fletcher has rushed for 601 yards on 110 carries for an average of 120.0 yards per game which is tops in Conference-USA play. Fletcher has scored five times and has a long run of 28 yards.
Fletcher is also a vital part of the passing game with eight receptions for 93 yards. Fletcher averages 138.8 per game in all-purpose yardage, which is second in C-USA.
In comparison, Chanove has carried the ball seven times for 45 yards and has three receptions for 19 yards.
"I think Conrad will do fine," Johnson said. "He's a tough runner, and we're looking for him to handle things well. We have confidence in Conrad and he's been doing a good job giving Damion a break. He will be fine."
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound freshman from Biloxi was suspended by head coach Jeff Bower for missing bed check last week, following a 20-6 loss at Tulsa. Southern Miss (3-2, 1-1) faces the Cougars at 6 p.m.
"Damion will learn from this," Southern Miss offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. "It's an unfortunate thing that happened, but Damion will be fine. Our plans are to get him back in the game in the second half.
"It's unfortunate for Damion, but he's still in our plans. I think coach (Jeff Bower) feels like Damion has learned his lesson. I look for him to be right back in there and continue to do what he does best."
With Fletcher on the bench, look for senior Conrad Chanove, a former walk-on, to get the bulk of the work against Houston (4-2). C.J. Barrows will also see action behind Chanove.
Through five games, Fletcher has rushed for 601 yards on 110 carries for an average of 120.0 yards per game which is tops in Conference-USA play. Fletcher has scored five times and has a long run of 28 yards.
Fletcher is also a vital part of the passing game with eight receptions for 93 yards. Fletcher averages 138.8 per game in all-purpose yardage, which is second in C-USA.
In comparison, Chanove has carried the ball seven times for 45 yards and has three receptions for 19 yards.
"I think Conrad will do fine," Johnson said. "He's a tough runner, and we're looking for him to handle things well. We have confidence in Conrad and he's been doing a good job giving Damion a break. He will be fine."
