Four UCLA football players suspended for home game against Kansas State

UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel began Tuesday’s practice by asking his players, “Who’s interested in improving to 3-0?”

But before practice, Neuheisel announced that the team will be missing four players ““ redshirt sophomore cornerback Courtney Viney, redshirt freshman tailback Milton Knox, freshman tail end Morrell Presley and freshman wide receiver Randall Carroll ““ who have been suspended for Saturday’s home game against Kansas State.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had four players break a team rule,” Neuheisel said. “I had to administer the appropriate discipline. Just like when your children break rules, you discipline them. … They’ll earn their way back hopefully to a playing capacity following the Kansas State game.”

Neither Neuheisel nor the four players elaborated on the details of their suspensions.

“We violated a team rule and it’s a fair decision,” Viney said. “You’ve just got to take it and move forward from here.”

All four players saw action in the Bruins’ 19-15 road victory against Tennessee on Saturday.

Viney recorded a career-high eight tackles and broke up a pass while filling in for the injured Aaron Hester.

“I don’t think (my suspension) is a setback at all,” Viney added. “Like I said, I take full responsibility.”

Viney’s suspension creates another hole in UCLA’s secondary.

“This week, a lot of pressure will be put on (freshman cornerback) Sheldon Price,” Neuheisel said. “He’ll have to rise up and play well.”

Knox gained 12 yards on three rushes and also caught a pass for 11 yards against Tennessee. Both Presley and Carroll caught one pass.

“The team is well prepared, regardless, for Kansas State this week,” Viney said. “They’ll go out and be on top of their game.”