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Minnesota Suspends 3 Defensive Players

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota defensive tackle Brandon Kirksey has been suspended for the game against Michigan State on Saturday.

Interim coach Jeff Horton did not say why Kirksey was suspended, but did say he expects the team captain to return for the Golden Gophers' game on Nov. 14 at Illinois.

Horton also suspended defensive back Michael Carter and defensive lineman Ra'Shede Hageman for academic issues. Horton says it is likely those two will not play the rest of the season.

Senior offensive linemen Matt Carufel and Dom Alford also will miss the game with knee injuries.

The Gophers have lost eight straight games as they prepare to face the Spartans on Saturday.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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