Phillips Returns To Practice, Won’t Play For Two Weeks

Six weeks after he was dismissed from the team for hitting a former girlfriend, Nebraska tailback Lawrence Phillips returned to practice Tuesday in Lincoln, Neb., and is expected to play Nov. 4 against Iowa State.

Phillips, a junior from West Covina, Calif., had not practiced since Sept. 10, when he was arrested for hitting Kate McEwen, a 20-year-old Nebraska basketball player, at the apartment of quarterback Scott Frost. Police said McEwen was dragged down a flight of stairs.

Coach Tom Osborne, who initially dismissed Phillips from the team but later called it an indefinite suspension, said Phillips would not travel with No. 2 Nebraska (7-0, 3-0 Big Eight) for Saturday’s game at No. 7 Colorado. But Osborne said Phillips would suit up against Iowa State the following week.

In Manhattan, Kan., three Kansas State football players were arrested in connection with an alleged assault in August.

Brian Kavanagh, the Wildcats’ backup quarterback, linebacker Percell Gaskins and defensive end Nyle Wiren were charged with two counts of battery and one count each of criminal damage to property, conspiracy to commit battery and cruelty to animals, said Riley County Police Sgt. Kurt Moldrup.

Wildcats coach Bill Snyder had no immediate comment.

Oregon starting cornerback Kenny Wheaton was released from Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Ore., following successful surgery to reattach a tendon in his right hand, coach Mike Bellotti said.