Nebraska Star Phillips Arrested, Thrown Off Team

Lawrence Phillips, the star Nebraska running back who scored four touchdowns Saturday, was arrested Sunday night for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend and was thrown off the football team.

“We will do everything we can to help him get his life back together, but he is dismissed from the football team effective immediately,” coach Tom Osborne said.

Phillips allegedly attacked the woman early Sunday morning at a Lincoln apartment. The incident was reported at about 4:45 a.m., Lt. Kent Woodhead said. The player surrendered to police at about 8:15 p.m. and was released about 45 minutes later on 10 percent of a $1,000 bond. Woodhead said Phillips allegedly hit the woman inside and outside her apartment. The woman was not hospitalized or seriously injured.

“Allegedly, he was dragging her and hitting her in the apartment or hallway,” Woodhead said.

Phillips was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor third-degree assault and is scheduled to appear Tuesday for arraignment, his attorney, Hal Anderson, said.

“He is very, very upset with himself,” Anderson said. “He’s very disappointed with himself - whether he’s guilty or not - with having been arrested.”

Phillips was the nation’s third-leading rusher last year with 1,722 yards, and had been mentioned as a possible Heisman Trophy winner.

In two games this year, the junior from West Covina, Calif., rushed for 359 yards and seven scores.