As Boise State prepares to take the field this afternoon for their postseason game, they’ll do so without the most disruptive member of their defense.
The Broncos announced Saturday afternoon that defensive end Demarcus Lawrence will not play in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl against Washington due to violating unspecified team rules. Lawrence traveled with the team but was sent home ahead of the game.
The loss is a rather significant one, to put it mildly, for the Broncos as Lawrence is far and away the team’s leader in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (13.5). He was named first-team All-Mountain West following the 2012 season.
Additionally, starting longsnapper Chris Roberson was suspended for the game as well, and for the same generic reasons.
According to Chad Cripe of the Idaho Statesman, it’s the second suspension this season for Lawrence and the third for Roberson. All told, Cripe notes, Bronco players have been suspended at least 15 times this season.