University Of Minnesota Football Team Ends Boycott, Will Play Bowl Game

Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Battaglia/AP Paul Battaglia/AP

Ending a boycott that was sparked by the suspension of 10 players over an alleged sexual assault, the University of Minnesota's football team says they'll play in the Dec. 27 Holiday Bowl. The team relented after meeting with school administrators Friday.

In addition to promising to play in the game in San Diego later this month, the team sought to clarify its position.

"Let me first state so there is no misperception: sexual harassment and violence against women have no place on this campus, on our team, in our society, and at no time is it ever condoned," said senior wide receiver Drew Wolitarski.

The team's statement, delivered by Wolitarski, also faulted the school's leaders for not giving them any advance notice about the suspensions.

The players had earlier complained that several of the athletes had already been punished with multiple-game suspensions because of the case, and that the new suspensions — and in some cases, potential expulsions — levied by the university's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action had come without due process.

From St. Paul, Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Nelson reports: