Elon loses QB after honor code violation

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Sports
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Elon loses QB after honor code violation


Print Email this Article By Jeff Carlton
Staff Writer


Quarterback Wes Pope, who led Elon last fall to its best football season since the school joined the Southern Conference, will be suspended for the fall semester after violating Elon's academic honor code.

The suspension effectively ends Pope's college football career. Pope, a Ragsdale graduate, said he intends to re-enroll next spring and complete degree requirements toward a double major in exercise sports science and psychology.

Pope would have been a senior this fall. He will ineligible to play football in 2008 because he already has taken a medical redshirt.

"I understand that academic integrity is paramount at Elon University, and my decision compromised that integrity," Pope said. "As a result, I respect the university's decision to suspend me for the fall of 2007."

Neither Pope nor the university specified the nature of the violation. Pope wasn't available for further comment.

Last season, Pope passed for a school-record 2,572 yards, with 16 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 60.8 percent completion rate. Elon finished 5-6, its best record in four seasons in the conference.

Pope had played a number of other positions for two years for former coach Paul Hamilton, but he happily returned to quarterback last spring after Elon hired Pete Lembo. Pope proved himself a good fit for Lembo's a pass-oriented offense.

"Any time something negative happens to one of your players, it hits home," Lembo said, "and that it happened to Wes is just a reality check that we're dealing with kids, and even the best of them can make mistakes."

Lembo now must turn to an inexperienced quarterback. Two candidates are redshirt freshman Donny Kirby and true freshman Scott Riddle, who led Eastern Randolph to the Class 3-AA state title in December. Kirby, a prolific high school passer, was 12-for-19 for 103 yards in Elon's spring game.

Contact Jeff Carlton at 373-7065 or [e-mail]