Just when the Michigan Wolverines' season seemed like it was turning around, the team may face sanctions, including the possibility of a forfeit, for using an ineligible player during the 14-9 victory on Sept. 22 over Penn State.
The player in question is freshman safety Artis Chambers, who was ruled ineligible because of grades. Chambers enrolled at Michigan in January, but his winter semester grade point average did not meet eligibility requirements.
Chambers' high school coach Russ Isaacs (Snider, which is right in our backyard in Fort Wayne) said it was his understanding that Michigan thought the freshman's improved GPA in summer classes would count toward his fall eligibility, but that was not the case and led to eligibility confusion.
"We've had a misinterpretation of the Big Ten freshman-eligibility rules," Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said. "He was eligible under NCAA rules, not Big Ten rules."
Martin said Chambers will not play again this season because of the eligibility issue. He can practice with the team.
A Big Ten spokesman said the case is under review and the conference will determine what sanctions, if any, the Wolverines may face. Forfeiture is a possibility, but there are a wide range of sanctions depending on the severity of each case.
A forfeiture punishment may be harsh, though, as Chambers plays just a few snaps on special teams.
Michigan started the season with back-to-back embarrassing home losses but has now won three straight games, including the 14-9 victory over then No. 10 Penn State.
(High five: 100% Injury Rate for linking to SPORTSbyBROOKS, which led us to this small piece, which led us to check out the Detroit Free Press).
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