Three players from Texas Tech and one from Minnesota won't be playing in Friday's Meineke Car Care Bowl because they violated team rules.
Texas Tech spokesman Blayne Beal on Monday would not divulge the rules violated. He says Red Raiders starting defensive back Cornelius Douglas, Chris Payne, a linebacker who played mostly on Texas Tech's special teams, and backup defensive tackle Leon Mackey won't play in the bowl game.
Minnesota freshman receiver Andre McDonald will also miss the game because of a violation of team rules. He was seventh on the Gophers with 10 catches.
The Red Raiders will get sophomore tight end Jace Amaro back for the game after he was cleared to play Monday. Amaro caught 23 passes for 394 yards and four touchdowns before missing the second half of the season with a rib injury.
The Red Raiders (7-5) take on the Gophers (6-6) about three weeks after Tommy Tuberville unexpectedly left to take the head coaching position at Cincinnati. Interim head coach Chris Thomsen, who handled the offensive line under Tuberville, will coach the bowl game.
Former Red Raiders standout quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was hired as Tuberville's successor Dec. 12.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
