APRunning back LaMichael James and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, two of Oregon’s top players, entered guilty pleas in separate cases Friday and awaited word on their futures with the Ducks.
James pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge and was sentenced to 10 days in jail for an altercation with a woman outside his apartment last month.
Hours later in the same courtroom, Masoli pleaded guilty to a second-degree burglary charge stemming from the theft of two laptops and a guitar from a campus fraternity house in late January.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly, who has come under fire for some of his disciplinary actions in the past, was expected to announce later Friday what kind of punishment — if any — James and Masoli would face from the team.
James, who appeared in Lane County Circuit Court on Friday morning, will spend 24 months on probation as part of the plea agreement with prosecutors. He reported to jail on Friday afternoon but was quickly released and instead put on electronic surveillance for the duration of his sentence.
Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner had said earlier that it was unlikely James would serve jail time because of overcrowding, and because his offense was relatively minor and he was considered low-risk.
James, who set a Pac-10 freshman record with more than 1,500 yards rushing last season, originally faced five misdemeanor charges, including strangulation, harassment and assault. All but one harassment charge were dropped.
James was in court with his attorney for the hearing before Judge Maurice K. Merten, which lasted just a little more than five minutes. The running back left the courtroom without comment.
In a statement that was included in court documents related to the case, James apologized to the victim, a former girlfriend. She claimed he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument on Feb. 15.
“I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. I have made a mistake and accept the consequences,” the statement said. “I look forward to demonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that I am a better man than recent events suggest.”
James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon’s 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.
Included in court documents was a statement from the attorney for James’ former girlfriend.
“My client did not want to ruin Mr. James’ life, but did want him to be held accountable for what he had done, to get the help that he needs so that this does not happen again to someone else and to be protected in the future,” attorney Jodee L. Scott wrote.
Masoli also pleaded guilty as part of a deal that reduced his charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Former Ducks receiver Garrett Embry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of second-degree burglary as well.
Both were sentenced to 12 months of probation and 140 hours of community service. Together they must also pay $5,000 restitution.
Mentioned as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in the coming season, Masoli threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Led in large part by Masoli and James, Oregon made a remarkable comeback from a season-opening loss to Boise State and won its first Pac-10 title since 2001. The Ducks earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1995.
But it has been an offseason of disarray for the Ducks, with several players in trouble.
Placekicker Rob Beard pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge last week for his role in a Jan. 24 street fight that left him seriously injured.
Beard, who remained on Oregon’s active roster, was placed on probation.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Eugene Municipal Court last week. Kelly suspended Alonso for the 2010 season upon learning of the arrest.
Defensive end Matt Simms was dismissed by Kelly after he was cited on assault charges last month. Simms pleaded guilty to physical harassment for striking a man he thought had beaten Beard.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
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