Topic: Clarion Star Ledger: So. Miss starting FB suspended for MU

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With Raines out, Michaelson's in
HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss fullback Marcus Raines was suspended for Sunday night's Marshall game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

USM coach Jeff Bower said Tuesday that senior Seth Michaelson, a transfer from Ole Miss, would move up to the starting slot at fullback.

Raines, a 6-foot-3, 256-pound senior from Antelope, Calif., practiced with the scout team Tuesday.

Raines, who arrived at USM three years ago, was one of the nation's top junior college linebacker prospects. But scholarship offers dried up after schools discovered that Raines had pleaded guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of a high school classmate and was incarcerated for three years.

Raines had been trouble-free in Hattiesburg, and after moving from linebacker to fullback at the end of last season, he saw his role expand this season.

Raines has rushed for 20 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries this season, while catching four passes for 48 yards.

TANDEM TO REMAIN
Bower said senior Chris Clark and junior Calvin Wilson would remain the starting duo at left guard and left tackle, respectively, on Sunday against Marshall.
"Right now, that's our best deal going," Bower said.
Clark had started 30 consecutive games at left tackle before sliding to guard for USM's past two games, with Wilson getting the nod at tackle.
But Bower also said Clark played about 15 snaps at tackle against SMU, with Wesley Housley coming in at guard.

YOUNG STILL IFFY
Bower said quarterback Jeremy Young (ankle) remained a day-to-day proposition.