An Indiana University panel determined that football player Morgan Ellison sexually assaulted a fellow IU student while she slept and then used force to continue the assault when she woke up, IndyStar has learned.

In its findings, the University’s sexual misconduct hearing panel concluded that "the aggravating factor of (Ellison) engaging in sexual activity while Complainant was asleep, and (Ellison)’s use of force during the incident" led to the determination that Ellison should be suspended from Indiana University for 2 1/2 years, according to records obtained by IndyStar.

Attempts to reach Ellison Wednesday for comment were unsuccessful.

During the hearing, Ellison denied using force and said all of the sexual activities that occurred were consensual, records state.

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The panel explained its decision in a letter dated Oct. 3.

One day earlier, IU football coach Tom Allen announced that Ellison, who had been suspended from the team in late August for undisclosed reasons, had resumed practicing with the team.

It is unclear if Ellison, who has not played in a game this season, appealed the panel’s ruling. His deadline to appeal is Thursday.

The panel's determination also requires Ellison to undergo counseling and specifies that he is not to set foot on any IU campus during his suspension. And he is prohibited from having contact with the student he is accused of assaulting.

IndyStar typically does not name alleged victims of sexual assault without their consent.

Ellison has not been charged with a crime.

It is unclear if the Indiana University Police Department is investigating what happened in mid-August. A police spokesman referred all questions to the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel.

IU spokesman Chuck Carney said he could not comment on any student conduct case because of privacy laws.

Ellison, a sophomore running back at IU, had been suspended since August. Allen has said Ellison has met with him in the intervening time, and Allen confirmed last week that Ellison was participating in practice with the Hoosiers.

"He's been allowed to be with our team recently, and we still have no answer yet for his game opportunities," Allen said Oct. 2. "But he's been allowed to be around us on a consistent basis now, which has helped. But we still don’t know the long-term future yet, taking it day by day."

Allen did not specify at that time when Ellison first returned to practice. Quizzed on Ellison's status during his weekly press conference Monday, Allen said there was "no additional update on him."

The Aug. 24 press release announcing his suspension described its scope as including "all football activities."

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An athletic department spokesman declined to comment Wednesday.

A late addition to Indiana’s 2017 signing class, Ellison led the Hoosiers with 704 yards and six touchdowns last season as a true freshman. He was named Big Ten freshman of the week twice, after wins over Georgia Southern and Rutgers. He had been considered a candidate for Indiana's starting running back position this fall, prior to his team suspension.

IndyStar reporter Carley Lanich contributed to this report.

Call IndyStar reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski at 317-444-6135. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyMarisaK.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

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