Mitchell Arrested, Suspended Until Further Notice Per Spurrier.

[Neo]

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6223/5403441bg1qd9.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=5403441bg1qd9.jpg)

USC quarterback Blake Mitchell suspended indefinitely.

By: WISTV Columbia, SC


(Columbia) September 13, 2006 - An incident in Columbia's Five Points early Wednesday led to an arrest warrant for Gamecocks quarterback Blake Mitchell, 21. Mitchell has turned himself in at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

A USC Athletic spokesperson says Mitchell is suspended indefinitely from the team.

According to the incident report, Mitchell is accused of simple assault.

The report describes the incident as starting at 1:45am when Blake asked the alleged victim, Kylan Ertzberger, if Kylan liked him. Kylan, the report says, told Blake that he did not have a problem with Mitchell, but Kylan said he did not like Blake entering Pavlov's with underage girls.

Kylan, who is a bouncer at Pavlov's and a USC student, tells officials that when he turned away after that, Mitchell punched him in the left eye.

Mitchell, a junior, came to South Carolina before the 2003 season and had started 11 games last season and both contests this year.

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Updated 5:07pm by Chantelle Janelle with AP

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5403441

ONCE AGAIN, KEEP ON FRONT PAGE. DO NOT REMOVE, MERGE, OR MOVE THIS POST. THANK YOU!

NEO
SECTALK.COM ADMIN/NEWS WRITER

[rabidcock]

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6223/5403441bg1qd9.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=5403441bg1qd9.jpg)

USC quarterback Blake Mitchell suspended indefinitely.

Too bad. But it will probably be a good thing for the team in the long run. Smelley's development will begin sooner rather than later. He may turn out to be another great QB like Steve Tanneyhill, who was forced into action in the middle of his freshman season, after an 0-5 start.

[The team went on to win five of their next six games that season.]

[GamecockDieHard]

The way it appears: The "victim" decided today that he was sooo injured that he wanted to press charges. Here's what I think:

Mitchell was drunk and punched a smartarse bouncer that mouthed off about whatever (I don't really care what the guy said). Mitchell hits him, everyone gets real agitated and Mitchell leaves. The next morning the bouncer is still pissed, he's getting encouragement from his crew that saw it happen. So, the bouncer calls the police and says he wants to lodge a complaint. Law asks, "do you want to file a complaint?" "yeah," bouncer says. Police/Sheriff's office come out and take a statement, then file the arrest warrant. Mitchell is told about it and turns himself in.

I could swear out a statement against ANYONE on this site and you'd be arrested and booked.

Now I really don't doubt that Mitchell was wrong here, but I think it's been blown WAAAAY outta proportion. I'm an older guy and can't tell you how many times this used to go on and nothing was done about it. This is a crock, IMO. Look at my other posts and you'll see that I'm no big fan of Mitchell, but this is much-a-do-about-not-that-much. Everyone is ready to throw Blake under the bus 'cause he was drinking down in 5-points and "shouldn't have been there." Sure, he shouldn't have been there and he shouldn't have hit the guy and if he did, he should be punished, but it ain't like he raped, robbed, or lynched.

Alot of people are way over-reacting to this whole thing. He hit a guy and USC gets the black eye. For that, he needs to be suspended for a few games. But to ruin his career, with what I know at this point, is just overreaction, IMO.

I wanted Smelley to start since the 2nd quarter of the Georgia game, but I don't want Mitchell's head on a platter for this. That would be way over the top and I hope it doesn't end the guy's career.

[OmahaBound]

Alot of people are way over-reacting to this whole thing. He hit a guy and USC gets the black eye. For that, he needs to be suspended for a few games. But to ruin his career, with what I know at this point, is just overreaction, IMO.

I wanted Smelley to start since the 2nd quarter of the Georgia game, but I don't want Mitchell's head on a platter for this. That would be way over the top and I hope it doesn't end the guy's career.

It seems like this is a trend for Blake and a story like this pops up every year...this is just the first time charges have been pressed. In other words, I don't really have any sympathy for the kid. However, the only way this is going to ruin his career is if Smelley or Newton make the most of their opportunities this week and send Blake to the bench. He's not being kicked off the team or anything like that (unless the story changes). The way Spurrier sounded tonight my guess would be this will be a one game suspension and if Smelley doesn't thoroughly impress the coaches this weekend Blake will have every opportunity to gain back the starting gig for the rest of the season.

[uscrules]

Yeah, I agree, we don't know the circumstances and we should not send the guy to the gas chamber for hitting someone. If that was the case the jail would be full of people. We don't what this guy said to provoke him into hitting him. I have hit people and they all deserved it. I am not saying its right but sometimes you don't consider the outcome, just have the moment and you react on it. Let's wait and see.

[GeauxTo]

Smelley's development will begin sooner rather than later.
And that could make this seeming catastrophe a good thing for the Gamecocks. From his looks, Mitchell doesn't have the looks of a Spurrier-type QB, anyway. Spurs is probably secretly happy.

[Neo]

Mitchell sacked | USC QB arrested after fight
Spurrier says starter won’t play Saturday, is suspended ‘until all the facts come in’

By JOSEPH PERSON
jperson @thestate.com


USC starting quarterback Blake Mitchell was arrested Wednesday and charged after allegedly punching a bouncer in the face during an early-morning incident at a Five Points bar.

Mitchell turned himself in on the simple assault charge at the Richland County jail, where he was released Wednesday evening on a personal recognizance bond.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier suspended Mitchell indefinitely and said the redshirt junior would not play in Saturday’s game against Wofford.

“Blake got in a little scuffle last night. I don’t know all the details, but I heard the other guy pressed charges, so we suspended him until it’s all cleared up,” Spurrier said.

“So he’s under suspension right now until all the facts come in. We’ll make a later decision exactly what to do.”

According to a Columbia police report, Mitchell was at Pavlov’s on Greene Street at 1:45 a.m. when he started a “verbal altercation” with Kylan Ertzberger, 19, who was working the door.

The report said Ertzberger told Mitchell “he did not have a problem with him” but objected to the 21-year-old Mitchell trying to bring “underage girls” into the bar. When Ertzberger turned to walk away, Mitchell punched him in his left eye, according to the report.

Mitchell was gone when police arrived at Pavlov’s around 2:30 a.m., police records said. After Ertzberger told authorities he wanted to press charges, Mitchell went to the jail Wednesday afternoon.

Wearing khaki shorts and a white T-shirt, Mitchell remained expressionless during his bond hearing and offered only short answers to Judge Carlton Bagby, who asked Mitchell about his living situation and whether he had family in South Carolina.

Neal Lourie, the Columbia attorney representing Mitchell, said Mitchell would not speak to reporters after the hearing, which Ertzberger did not attend.

Mitchell’s first court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

Simple assault is punishable by a maximum of 30 days in jail or up to a $500 fine.

Mitchell might be eligible to apply for pretrial intervention, a one-time diversion program that allows defendants to expunge certain charges from their records upon completion of community service, counseling or other requirements.

Attempts to reach Ertzberger by phone and in person Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Ertzberger, a USC sophomore from Taylors, was an offensive lineman on the football team at Wade Hampton High, according to the Rivals.com database. The 5-foot-11-inch Ertzberger weighed 263 pounds when he attended a Nike training camp two years ago.

The 6-foot-3-inch Mitchell is listed at 212 pounds.

Mitchell, a native of LaGrange, Ga., is the first USC player known to have been arrested since March, when Dustin Lindseyand Shea McKeen were involved in a bar fight in Five Points.

Asked if he was disappointed that his quarterback had been arrested, Spurrier said he was disappointed that Mitchell “got in a little fight.”

“If he was out with his girlfriend or whatever and he was not drunk or anything, that’s what college kids do,” Spurrier added. “I went to college once. But we were in before 1:30. Back in our day, 12 was a late night.”

Other than Fridays when the team is gathered at a hotel, Spurrier said Thursday is the only night the Gamecocks have a curfew in place.

“I don’t think he had many classes (Wednesday) morning, so he was just out with some buddies,” Spurrier said.

“We’ll let all the facts come in before we do anything on a long-range basis. But he’ll be out this week. So he’ll rest up and try to get his legal matters corrected, and then we’ll see where we are.”

Mitchell, who started the first two games this season and 11 of 12 in 2005, has not led the Gamecocks on a touchdown drive in 19 possessions this year. He had three fumbles in USC’s 18-0 loss to Georgia this past weekend, losing two in Bulldogs’ territory.

Spurrier said Mitchell, who bruised his throwing hand against Georgia, would not have played much against Wofford because of his injury and recent performance.

Spurrier said he would not name a starter until later in the week, although freshman Chris Smelley and former quarterback Syvelle Newton appear to be the top candidates.

Alvin “Nugget” Mitchell was traveling to Columbia on Wednesday evening and had not yet spoken to his son. But he said he had a “long conversation” with him Tuesday.

“I’m not headed up here to chew his (butt) out. I’m headed up here to support him and hopefully that he’ll understand from the mistake that he made,” the elder Mitchell said.

“I’m definitely dealing with everything from a positive point of view. I’m not looking for any excuse of why or whatnot.”

Staff writers Kent Babb and Lee Higgins contributed to this report. Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/colleges/university_of_south_carolina/15513274.htm

[Neo]

If the investigation shows that this is the truth as we know it, here's what I think....

C/P'd from another site.


I'm sorry but since this is not the first time BM has had trouble in 5 pts before I don't have much patience with him.
Some say don't kick him off team. I say he should be gone

WHY??
1 Not the first time he has been in trouble at SAME BAR, SAME PROBLEM
2 He KNEW he was already on the spot knew that he was fighting to keep his job as starter(this proves how little he cares)
3 He is almost 22 so he is old enough to know better
4 He is the QB, and as such is expected to be the leader of team
and as a leader he failed.
5 sp there are some of my reasons to kick him off team
and SS should do it.

Not one thing good comes from being in bar at 230 in AM. Sorry it just doesn't

Kick him off, give his scholly to someone else. let him transfer.
I wish him luck but don't want him back in Garnet and Black

[GTmorris1970]

The way it appears: The "victim" decided today that he was sooo injured that he wanted to press charges. Here's what I think:

Mitchell was drunk and punched a smartarse bouncer that mouthed off about whatever (I don't really care what the guy said). Mitchell hits him, everyone gets real agitated and Mitchell leaves. The next morning the bouncer is still pissed, he's getting encouragement from his crew that saw it happen. So, the bouncer calls the police and says he wants to lodge a complaint. Law asks, "do you want to file a complaint?" "yeah," bouncer says. Police/Sheriff's office come out and take a statement, then file the arrest warrant. Mitchell is told about it and turns himself in.

I could swear out a statement against ANYONE on this site and you'd be arrested and booked.

Now I really don't doubt that Mitchell was wrong here, but I think it's been blown WAAAAY outta proportion. I'm an older guy and can't tell you how many times this used to go on and nothing was done about it. This is a crock, IMO. Look at my other posts and you'll see that I'm no big fan of Mitchell, but this is much-a-do-about-not-that-much. Everyone is ready to throw Blake under the bus 'cause he was drinking down in 5-points and "shouldn't have been there." Sure, he shouldn't have been there and he shouldn't have hit the guy and if he did, he should be punished, but it ain't like he raped, robbed, or lynched.

Alot of people are way over-reacting to this whole thing. He hit a guy and USC gets the black eye. For that, he needs to be suspended for a few games. But to ruin his career, with what I know at this point, is just overreaction, IMO.

I wanted Smelley to start since the 2nd quarter of the Georgia game, but I don't want Mitchell's head on a platter for this. That would be way over the top and I hope it doesn't end the guy's career.

I think this goes way beyond your argument here. You bring up some good, valid points, but to me there is much more involved. I don't know all the FACTS, but have heard from enough people who do know him that it cannot all be simply BS. I will list a few.

1. Spurrier tells Mitchell in the past to stay away from that place. MITCHELL DOESN'T LISTEN.
2. Spurrier says "as long as he wasn't drunk"....MITCHELL SPENDS HALF HIS LIFE THAT WAY FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. I'm sure that has nothing to do with his occasional cramping. :wacko:
3. Team rule. No Smoking.......MITCHELL FROM MY UNDERSTANDING SMOKES LIKE A CHIMNEY
4. He is a public figure whether he likes it or not. If you play like crap and cannot take the negative comments, stay in your dorm.

I am no angel, but am 36 and have never been to jail or anything else. It can be done. The way I see it, when USC is paying your way through college, you DO owe something back. You go by the rules, or you quit and go your own way. Many things Spurrier has asked him to do, Mitchell apparently has totally disregarded, slapping SOS in the face. Noone has thrown him under any bus. He has thrown himself there with his own actions. He has proven this year he is not a leader capable of handling Spurrier's offense. If people want him in there simply because he has played before, I respect that opinion. Mine is we are gonna stink just like Saturday with him under center. He simply cannot do it. He does not have the leadership qualities required to get the job done. That is my .02

[bullittmcqueen]

If i were spurrier, i would wonder why my QB was out on the town at a bar at 1:45 in the morning. does the team not have a curfew?

[GTmorris1970]

If i were spurrier, i would wonder why my QB was out on the town at a bar at 1:45 in the morning. does the team not have a curfew?

Only from Thursday on.

[jbuzbee]

I could swear out a statement against ANYONE on this site and you'd be arrested and booked.

No....you couldn't. Generally speaking you cannot just "swear out a statement" to the police and they go and pick the guy up and arrest him.

[AuburnandGamecockGirl]

I am no angel, but am 36 and have never been to jail or anything else. It can be done. The way I see it, when USC is paying your way through college, you DO owe something back. You go by the rules, or you quit and go your own way. Many things Spurrier has asked him to do, Mitchell apparently has totally disregarded, slapping SOS in the face. Noone has thrown him under any bus. He has thrown himself there with his own actions. He has proven this year he is not a leader capable of handling Spurrier's offense. If people want him in there simply because he has played before, I respect that opinion. Mine is we are gonna stink just like Saturday with him under center. He simply cannot do it. He does not have the leadership qualities required to get the job done. That is my .02

Yep, I totally agree....I am 32 and have had nothing more than one speeding ticket in my life. SC is paying for BM to attend college while some of us are working our butts off and STILL paying off college loans 10 years later when we tried our best in college and didn't act like an idiot. A "leader" like this can tear a whole team down.

[GTmorris1970]

Yep, I totally agree....I am 32 and have had nothing more than one speeding ticket in my life. SC is paying for BM to attend college while some of us are working our butts off and STILL paying off college loans 10 years later when we tried our best in college and didn't act like an idiot. A "leader" like this can tear a whole team down.

It is just my opinion but I think you have already seen this offense with Blake's leadership. They play harder when Chris is in the game. It is not my place to say for sure, but I think these players, or at least some of them, have lost faith in Blake's ability to lead.

[scunyon]

It is just my opinion but I think you have already seen this offense with Blake's leadership. They play harder when Chris is in the game. It is not my place to say for sure, but I think these players, or at least some of them, have lost faith in Blake's ability to lead.

Some may have never had any :closedeye

[GTmorris1970]

Some may have never had any :closedeye

You are correct sir!!!! :laugh:

[GamecockDieHard]

No....you couldn't. Generally speaking you cannot just "swear out a statement" to the police and they go and pick the guy up and arrest him.


Sorry but you're wrong. If you've filed a false report, then you're in trouble, but you absolutely can have someone arrested on an accusation provided there is another witness or some other collaborative evidence.

[GamecockDieHard]

I think this goes way beyond your argument here. You bring up some good, valid points, but to me there is much more involved. I don't know all the FACTS, but have heard from enough people who do know him that it cannot all be simply BS. I will list a few.

1. Spurrier tells Mitchell in the past to stay away from that place. MITCHELL DOESN'T LISTEN.
2. Spurrier says "as long as he wasn't drunk"....MITCHELL SPENDS HALF HIS LIFE THAT WAY FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. I'm sure that has nothing to do with his occasional cramping. :wacko:
3. Team rule. No Smoking.......MITCHELL FROM MY UNDERSTANDING SMOKES LIKE A CHIMNEY
4. He is a public figure whether he likes it or not. If you play like crap and cannot take the negative comments, stay in your dorm.

I am no angel, but am 36 and have never been to jail or anything else. It can be done. The way I see it, when USC is paying your way through college, you DO owe something back. You go by the rules, or you quit and go your own way. Many things Spurrier has asked him to do, Mitchell apparently has totally disregarded, slapping SOS in the face. Noone has thrown him under any bus. He has thrown himself there with his own actions. He has proven this year he is not a leader capable of handling Spurrier's offense. If people want him in there simply because he has played before, I respect that opinion. Mine is we are gonna stink just like Saturday with him under center. He simply cannot do it. He does not have the leadership qualities required to get the job done. That is my .02


The more I'm reading about Mitchell's history, the more I'm starting to agree with you on this. He has no leadership skills due in large part to the fact that he has absolutely no good judgement. Immaturity seems to be his first and middle name.

[Neo]

According to WISTV, the charges against Blake Mitchell have been dropped, but he is banned from Pavlovs for life.

If he returns, he will be proscuted.


Charges dropped against Mitchell
(Columbia) September 15, 2006 - WIS has confirmed charges against USC quarterback Blake Mitchell have been dropped.

Mitchell was scheduled to have a court hearing Friday morning on simple assault charges.

The incident in Columbia's Five Points early Wednesday led to an arrest warrant for Gamecocks quarterback Blake Mitchell, 21. Mitchell turned himself in Wednesday afternoon and was released on his own recognizance.

According to the incident report, Mitchell was accused of simple assault.

The report describes the incident as starting at 1:45am when Blake asked the alleged victim, Kylan Ertzberger, if Kylan liked him. Kylan, the report says, told Blake that he did not have a problem with Mitchell, but Kylan said he did not like Blake entering Pavlov's with underage girls.

Kylan, who is a bouncer at Pavlov's and a USC student, told officials that when he turned away after that, Mitchell punched him in the left eye.

Athletic department spokesman Steve Fink said Mitchell has been suspended indefinitely from the team by coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier said he was disappointed Mitchell got into what he called "a little fight." Spurrier says Mitchell is suspended from playing, but will remain on the team.

After Thursday's practice, coach Spurrier selected experience over youth, choosing senior Syvelle Newton to start at quarterback over rising freshman Chris Smelley.

Newton has been a Spurrier favorite the past two seasons. The ball coach used him as a triple-threat weapon at quarterback, tailback and receiver in games last year until Newton tore his Achilles tendon.

Newton takes over for Blake Mitchell, who was arrested on a simple assault charge and suspended from the team Wednesday.

Spurrier said Mitchell probably wouldn't have played much this week anyway. The 21-year-old injured his hand in an 18-0 loss to Georgia last week.

"He probably was not going to play this week anyway," Spurrier said. "He hadn't practiced much. He had a little bit of a bad finger, so he wasn't really in our plans this week to be honest with you. We'll give some other guys a chance to play quarterback."

And Gamecocks defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix says there will be some new faces in the starting lineup on his side of the ball.

Nix said after Thursday's practice that freshman Rodney Paulk would start at linebacker ahead of Marvin Sapp. Linebacker Jordin Lindsey would get the nod ahead of Cody Wells.

Lindsey made nine starts in 2005 and finished with 29 tackles. The junior also had an interception in the Independence Bowl loss to Missouri last December.

Nix says Stanley Doughty will make his first start on the line this season. The six-foot junior was among several Gamecocks in Spurrier's doghouse at the start of summer practice for being overweight.

The Gamecocks take on Wofford at Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday night

Posted 9:18am by Bryce Mursch
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5412495

[pc72687]

I thought Jordin Lindsey was suspended from the team this year?

[TrueGCFan]

Dustin is suspended. Jordin is moving from DE to LB.