Alabama will not appeal Dareus two-game penalty

TUSCALOOSA _ The University of Alabama has decided not to appeal last week's NCAA ruling regarding junior defensive end Marcell Dareus, who will serve the second of a two-game suspension Saturday when Penn State visits Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"We have to have precedent to appeal, precedent being some other case, some other circumstance relative to how penalties are granted," Coach Nick Saban said Monday. "We don't really feel like we have a good precedent. Relative to the circumstances it was pretty fair.

"That issue is really dead."

The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff announced Thursday that Dareus would be suspended for two games and must pay the equivalent of $1787.17 for airfare, lodging, meals and transportation he received during two offseason trips to Miami to the charity of his choice.

Sophomore Damion Square started in his place against San Jose State and was credited with two tackles. He's atop the depth chart this week ahead of sophomore Undra Billingsley and redshirt freshman Darrington Sentimore. Redshirt freshman Brandon Moore, who served a lingering suspension from last year during the San Jose State game, will back up senior Luther Davis at the other end spot.

"We always want to have Marcell on the field out there, but we'll just have to get through it like last week," sophomore linebacker Dont'a Hightower said. "A lot of guys are going to have to step up.

"Penn State is going to have more of a running team than San Jose State, more downhill instead of east and west."

Dareus made 33 tackles, nine for a loss and a team-high 6½ sacks last season. In the NCS National Championship Game he made the hit to sideline Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and also returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half.

Dareus was listed on preseason watch list for four player of the year awards, the Bednarik (defensive player), Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end), Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman), and the Bronko Nagurski Award (defensive player).