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Pitt WR Tyler Boyd, DL Rori Blair suspended for season opener

Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) takes part in drills in the NCAA football team's first day of Spring practice, Sunday, March 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) takes part in drills in the NCAA football team's first day of Spring practice, Sunday, March 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd and sophomore defensive lineman Rori Blair have been suspended for the season opener against Youngstown State, coach Pat Narduzzi announced Monday.

Both players were charged with DUI’s this offseason during separate incidents. Blair was stopped on March 15 for driving 117 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone in Pittsburgh. Blair was given a blood test, which came back positive for cannabinoids.

Boyd was stopped in suburban Pittsburgh and the officer at the scene smelled alcohol on Boyd. However, Boyd passed a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol limit was lower than legal limit of 0.08. Boyd admitted to the officer that he had been drinking and because he was 20 years old, he was taken to a hospital for a blood test.

Both players were suspended during the offseason, but Boyd was reinstated after he received probation.

“In addition to their game suspensions, Tyler and Rori have been, and will continue to be, subject to internal discipline and accountability,” Narduzzi said. “The situations were very disappointing and both young men have expressed their regret. Our expectation is that each of them, as well as our entire team, will learn from their mistakes and be better for it moving forward.”

Boyd is considered one of the best receivers in the ACC. He was third in the ACC in receptions (78), second in receiving yards (1,261) and tied for second in touchdown catches (8).

Blair played in 12 games – including two starts – and registered 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading five sacks.

For more Pittsburgh news, visit Panther-lair.com.

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