USC coach Pete Carroll told the Los Angeles Times on Friday that starting tailback Hershel Dennis remains suspended indefinitely and his chances of playing in the season opener against Virginia Tech on Aug. 28 were "seriously in doubt."

Dennis, is the focal point of a sexual assault investigation, according to the paper.

But Dennis' mother, Rose Teofilo, told the paper on Thursday that her son acknowledged that he was at the location early Monday morning where an alleged sexual assault took place but that he had done nothing wrong.

"I feel strongly he's going to be OK," she told the Times.

The junior, however, was indefinitely suspended earlier in the week by Carroll for 'disciplinary reasons."

Dennis started every game last season for the defending national co-champions. He rushed for 661 yards as part of a tailback rotation that included freshmen Reggie Bush and LenDale White.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said at least one member of the USC football team was under investigation for sexual assault.

The assault allegedly occurred Monday morning, according to Officer Esther Reyes, a police spokeswoman.

“Today the rape special section of LAPD’s robbery division began conducting an investigation into the allegation of a sexual assault that may involve a member or members of the USC football team,” Reyes said.

Carroll addressed the team about why he suspended Dennis. According to the Times, Carroll told his players Dennis was suspended for breaking team rules forbidding drinking and having a woman in a training-camp dorm room.

The Times reported that the assault occurred early Monday at a complex across the street from the USC campus. At least 14 people associated with the team were present at some point during a gathering where marijuana and alcohol were being used.

One player told the Times Dennis arrived with a woman Dennis previously dated. The player said Dennis and the woman went into another room for part of the evening.

The Daily News reported the woman arrived after an 11 p.m. curfew.

Teofilo told the Times Dennis told her that a woman he had dated was at the housing complex a few hours after the Trojans' evening scrimmage, and that the woman had been drinking. Teofilo said Dennis told her the woman had vomited and that he had set her down to sleep on a bed.

Dennis could not be reached by the Times for comment.

USC was the AP’s national champions last season and is ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll.

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