UI receiver Dezmon Epps suspended from team

University of Idaho senior wide receiver Dezmon Epps has been suspended immediately and indefinitely from the Vandal football team for allegedly slapping his girlfriend early Sunday morning.

“I have zero tolerance for any inappropriate behavior toward women,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said in a statement released by the school. “This is a serious allegation and I take it as such. The penalties are immediate and substantive.”

There is an on-going investigation into the allegations, according to the released statement. At the conclusion of the investigation, depending on the outcome, Epps’ status with the team may be reconsidered.

It is the lasest in a string of episodes involving the talented receiver.

Earlier this season, security video footage from the VandalStore on the University of Idaho campus showed Epps and several teammates stealing merchandise from the store, according to a university statement.

The video allegedly clarifies an Aug. 16 incident in which $285 worth of merchandise was stolen from the campus store during a time when the store was open only to members of the football team. Epps played in Idaho’s first game of the season, a 45-28 loss to Ohio on Sept. 3, even though the thefts occurred weeks prior to kickoff. Epps caught 15 passes for 160 yards in the loss, accounting for more than half of UI’s total receiving yards.

Epps sat out the next game against heavily favored University of Southern California. He has played in six games this year and leads the team in catches with 61. He also leads the Vandals (3-4) with 757 receiving yards.

Epps was dismissed from the team in late July of 2014, shortly after he was charged with stealing $37.72 worth of groceries from WinCo Foods. In April of that year, Epps was also charged with misdemeanor DUI.

Epps was sentenced to two days in jail earlier this year for driving without an interlock device that was required by the court following his DUI.

In 2013, Epps led the Vandals with 79 receptions for 980 yards and four touchdowns. No other Vandals receiver had more than 36 catches.