Raiders’ Status Uncertain

Texas Tech officials had no comment on the availability for the Copper Bowl of seven players arrested during a party early Sunday in Lubbock, Texas.

The seven players and former teammate Lloyd Hill wound up in jail following what police described as a near-riot at an apartment complex.

Redshirt freshman defensive back Corey Turner, 20, was booked on a felony charge of assaulting a peace officer and a misdemeanor charge of rioting.

Others arrested were sophomore flanker Stacy Mitchell, 20; sophomore split end Sheldon Bass, 20; redshirt freshman tailback Phillip Hayes, 19; freshman linebacker Ty Ardoin, 21; freshman defensive end Taurus Rucker, 19; and junior cornerback Kenny Haywood, 22. These players - as well as Hill - were charged with misdemeanors.

Most partygoers refused to leave when police officers tried to break up the gathering. The scuffling that ensued left three officers injured.

In Lincoln, Neb., University of Nebraska football player Christian Peter filed a $500,000 lawsuit against the state, alleging an employee gave a New York newspaper confidential court information about him.

The lawsuit claims an unknown state worker gave a writer for the New York Daily News material from a presentence investigation report involving a misdemeanor sexual assault case filed against Peter in 1993.