South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger will serve a one-game suspension for a hit on defenseless UAB receiver Patrick Hearn.
Swearing will be out for Saturday’s game against Missouri for his hit with 5:46 left in the third quarter, SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced in a press release.
“These rules are for the protection of the health and safety of our players on both sides of the ball. It is imperative that our student-athletes understand the importance of this rule. Our motivation in making these decisions is to protect our student-athletes,” Slive said.
Ole Miss defensive back Trae Elston was suspended for Saturday’s game against Texas for a violation of the same rule — 9-1-4 in the NCAA Football Rule Book, which reads “no player shall target and initiate contact to the head and neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder.”