Utah Utes football: 'Bama's Smith suspended for Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Four days before the Sugar Bowl, things theoretically got easier for the University of Utah football team.

Alabama on Monday suspended All-America tackle Andre Smith for violation of team policy. The team learned of the suspension only minutes after several players — Smith wasn't among them — met with the media in the buildup to Friday's game.

"You know, it's bad news," said Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson after the announcement. "We lost the best offensive lineman in the country."

He added, "We love him to death, but we'll just go forward from there."

Though the university didn't reveal the reason for the suspension, ESPN.com reported he had improper dealings with an agent.

The suspension averted an anticipated matchup between all-Mountain West Conference defensive end Paul Kruger and Smith.

"Two great football players, both looking forward to it. A great matchup for everyone to see throughout the country. It's not going to happen, and to me, that's the biggest disappointment," said Ute defensive coordinator and new Utah State coach Gary Andersen.

Center Antoine Caldwell said the team spoke briefly with Smith and that "he showed remorse on everything, apologized, just one of those things. You kind of put it behind you and get ready to go."

In a statement released by the university, coach Nick Saban said, "Andre Smith has been suspended from participating in the Sugar Bowl due to a violation of team rules and policies. The University of Alabama, the team and the football program are more important than any individual player. Everyone on our team depends on each other to be responsible, to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions.

"Andre Smith has done an outstanding job in our program as a person, student and a player and we will do all we can as an institution to support him in all future endeavors.

"Our priority and focus as a team is to play the best football game of the season in this Sugar Bowl, and to support our players to overcome any adversity this unfortunate situation has created."

Smith, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound junior, is expected to be replaced by starting guard Mike Johnson. Backup David Ross will likely move into Johnson's place.

"They're the University of Alabama," said Andersen. "I'm sure there's a very good player behind him."

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