Nathan Baird

nbaird@jconline.com

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue offensive lineman Martesse D. Patterson was arrested Wednesday on a felony charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury against a former teammate.

According to online court documents, a no contact order also has been issued against Patterson, 21. He was booked into Tippecanoe County jauil at 10:12 a.m. and released at 10:35 a.m. after posting bond. Bail had been set at $10,000 surety and $1,000 cash.

Patterson has an initial hearing at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the Tippecanoe County Magistrate Court.

According to a probable cause affidavit, former Purdue football player Alex Hilger made the complaint to West Lafayette police on Sept. 11.

Hilger alleged that on Sept. 7, Patterson entered Hilger's room at their residence in the 800 block of Hayes Street in West Lafayette "to borrow some property." Hilger told Patterson he was not allowed to borrow the property, but Patterson took it anyway and returned to his room.

When Hilger approached Patterson to retrieve his possession, Patterson punched him in the face, according to the affidavit. Hilger sought treatment at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after sustaining a broken jaw requiring a two-day hospital stay. The affidavit cites medical records showing Hilger suffered a "displaced fracture of the left mandible and a non-displaced fracture of the right mandible."

On Sept. 19, West Lafayette police Detective Matthew S. Coddington spoke with Patterson, who admitted taking the property and striking Hilger in the face.

Hilger, a former walk-on who played 12 games on special teams last season, has not been a member of the team this season. According to Purdue, Hilger ended his affiliation with the program on May 20.

The 6-foot-3, 340-pound Patterson started Purdue's first two games at left tackle — including the Sept. 10 game against Cincinnati. That was three days after the alleged incident took place, but one day prior to Hilger making the complaint to the WLPD.

Patterson practiced with the Boilermakers as recently as last Wednesday, though he had been demoted to working with the second team. Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said the Columbus, Ohio, native was dealing with a "personal" matter the team was handling "day by day."

Patterson did not attend Purdue's 24-14 victory over Nevada on Sunday, nor was he at practice on Tuesday. When asked Tuesday if he expected Patterson to play again this season, Hazell said, "Absolutely. That's the plan."

Speaking after Wednesday's practice, Hazell declined to expound on the details of Patterson's arrest, including when he learned of the incident.

"We're going to let the legal process take care of itself and then we'll make decisions from there," Hazell said. "We're not going to talk about it, labor on it. We'll let it run its course and then we'll figure out our decisions."

Hazell said there was no timetable for Patterson's possible return.

Purdue plays at Maryland on Saturday in its Big Ten Conference opener. Patterson did not appear on this week's depth chart.

Junior college transfer Jalen Neal started at left tackle against Nevada, and Hazell said the junior will start there again on Saturday.

Contact Journal & Courier Purdue sports reporter Nathan Baird at nbaird@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @nbairdjc.

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