Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

Suspended Clemson announced that All-America receiver Sammy Watkins will be suspended for the Tigers’ first two games as punishment for an offseason drug arrest. Clemson will be without their star wideout for the opener against Auburn in the Georgia Dome on Sept. 1 and the team’s first game at Death Valley against Ball State a week later. Watkins was pulled over during a traffic stop and found to have marijuana and two pills for which he didn’t have a prescription. He was charged with two counts of possession, both misdemeanor charges. The 19-year-old Watkins was eligible for a pretrial intervention program as a first-time offender. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had said soon after the arrest Watkins was likely to miss playing time.

• Boise State receiver Geraldo Boldewijn will miss the first four games of the season for violating NCAA rules for players getting extra benefits. Team officials said that Boldewijn accepted help from his high school host family when he booked a plane trip home to the Netherlands last December. Boldewijn has repaid the family for the flight.

Announced An official at the University of Illinois said that Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Nowicki will transfer to Illinois. The redshirt freshman is in the process of completing the necessary paperwork. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Nowicki will be the eighth player to leave Penn State following NCAA sanctions imposed last month after the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal. Nittany Lion players are allowed to transfer and play elsewhere right away. Nowicki has four seasons of eligibility left. Illinois assistant coaches drew criticism for traveling to State College, Pa., immediately following the sanctions.

Dismissed Two Texas-San Antonio football players have been dismissed from the team after their arrests on aggravated robbery charges. UTSA spokeswoman Christi Fish said the university was notified of the arrests of safety Adefemi Adekeye and cornerback Toyin Dada by San Antonio police

Extended Minnesota’s contract extension with coach Tubby Smith includes more incentives, a slight annual pay bump and a higher buyout the university must pay if he’s fired after next season. Smith’s three-year extension through the 2016-17 season was finalized on July 23.

Signed The Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings signed forward Tanner Pearson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Pearson, selected 30th overall in the June draft, had 37 goals and 54 assists in 60 regular- season games last season for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League.