Isu Players Charged

Statutory rape charges against two current members of the Idaho State football team involve a 14-year-old girl, according to a grand jury indictment in Pocatello.

Ike Johnson, 22, and Thomas Washington, 21, both starters for the Bengals last year, were charged with one count each of statutory rape for incidents that allegedly occurred between February and April of this year.

A former Idaho State football player, Derrick Carter, 22, was charged in the indictment handed down Friday with two counts of statutory rape involving two 14-year-old girls during the same period.

Bannock County Prosecutor Mark Hiedeman said they face up to life in prison if convicted.

Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill said an NCAA investigation into possible rules violations does not involve any current players and will not affect the team.

Sherrill, attending the Southeastern Conference coaches’ annual gathering with the media in Birmingham, Ala., said there are “no secrets; no hidden agendas.”

A letter of inquiry from the NCAA dated July 18 and made public Tuesday detailed numerous possible violations, including questionable lunches, loans and bonuses. Mississippi State has until Oct. 4 to respond.

Montana senior quarterback Dave Dickenson and Idaho end Ryan Phillips have been chosen the Big Sky Conference’s preseason offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively.

Polls of sportswriters, broadcasters and coaches conducted during last weekend’s league meetings in Sun Valley, Idaho, also named Boise State running back Tommy Edwards as top newcomer.