Tech suspends Smith, Hardy, Jackson
Leader file photo
Louisiana Tech starting QB J'Mar Smith and two other Bulldogs have been suspended from tonight's game against Marshall.
As reported in today’s Ruston Daily Leader, Louisiana Tech senior starting quarterback J’Mar Smith did not make the Bulldog football team’s trip to West Virginia and he and two other Bulldogs will not play in tonight’s game at Marshall.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network.
Two other key Tech starters — junior wide receiver Adrian Hardy and senior linebacker James Jackson — have also been suspended due to an athletic department violation and will not play against Marshall.
Louisiana Tech Athletics Communications released the following statement at 9:01 p.m. Thursday:
"Quarterback J’Mar Smith (suspended for Marshall and UAB games), WR Adrian Hardy (suspended for Marshall and UAB games), and LB James Jackson (suspended for Marshall game) are unavailable pursuant to athletic department policy. This matter is being handled internally. Neither Coach (Skip) Holtz nor athletic department officials will address this further."
Redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Allen will get the start behind center for Tech. Coincidently, Smith’s first start as a Tech quarterback came as a redshirt freshman when he started Tech’s 2016 season opener at Arkansas due to then-starting quarterback Ryan Higgins being suspended for that contest.
Smith completed 19-for-31 passes for 212 yards with a touchdown and an interception and added 10 rushing yards, including a 9-yard scoring scamper, in a 21-20 loss to the Razorbacks on Sept. 3, 2016.
