EUGENE, Ore. — A 19-year-old University of Oregon linebacker has been cited for investigation of driving under the influence of intoxicants — the fourth football player at the school to get into legal trouble in less than a month.
Police said Kristian Kiko Alonso, who will be a redshirt sophomore this fall, also was cited early Saturday for driving while uninsured, minor in possession of alcohol, improper turn and failure to maintain a lane.
Alonso was released and has a March 4 court date, police spokeswoman Melinda Kletzok said.
Alonso was stopped less than a day after coach Chip Kelly held a Friday news conference to talk about off-field problems by his players, including star running back LaMichael James, arrested last week after his girlfriend told police he choked her and threw her to the ground during an argument.
James, 20, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of fourth-degree assault, physical harassment and strangulation. The Eugene Register-Guard said he was released from jail Thursday and is required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Alonso, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound native of Los Gatos, Calif., was the Ducks’ primary backup at middle linebacker and one of the top special teams performers during the 2009 season. He has been viewed as a probable starter for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
The incident prompted school president Richard Lariviere to issue a statement Saturday night that the university “has clear expectations of how its student athletes are to behave both on and off the field of play. Lately, several of our athletes have fallen far short of these standards. This is simply unacceptable.”
Eugene police said last week that place-kicker Rob Beard had been cited for investigation of misdemeanor assault in a Jan. 24 street fight that left him seriously injured. Police also cited defensive end Matt Simms for investigation of misdemeanor assault in that brawl. Simms was dismissed from the team and another kicker involved in the incident, Mike Bowlin, left the team last week.
At his Friday news conference, Kelly said he stresses discipline and responsibility to his players.
“We will constantly work to make sure that these players understand that playing here is a privilege, and with that privilege comes responsibility, and if you can’t follow the rules, I’ll have to make some tough decisions,” he said.
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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com
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