Oregon RB LaMichael James arrested

Feb 18, 2010 - 12:09 AM By STEVEN DUBOIS Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore.(AP) -- Oregon tailback LaMichael James, one of the top freshmen in the nation, was arrested on domestic violence charges after his girlfriend said he grabbed her neck during an argument outside his apartment and pushed her to the ground.

James, 20, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor charges of menacing, strangulation and assault. He remained in the Lane County Jail on $40,000 bail, according to a jail deputy. His attorney, Michael Buseman, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Springfield police Sgt. Tom Borchers said the incident happened Monday evening outside an apartment complex. The 22-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, contacted authorities the following day and police found James at an apartment near Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

The woman sustained an abrasion but did not require hospitalization, Borchers said.

James began the season as the backup to LeGarrette Blount, but quickly became a star when Blount was suspended for punching a Boise State player immediately following the Ducks' season-opening loss to the Broncos.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound James rushed for 1,546 yards, the ninth-highest total in the nation and the most ever by a Pac-10 freshman. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in the Rose Bowl.

"We are concerned anytime a student-athlete is mentioned in a police report," head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement. "We do not condone any behavior that doesn't meet university standards or our football program's standards, and we go to great lengths to actively educate our student-athletes regarding appropriate conduct.

"We have the utmost confidence in the local law enforcement authorities to determine the facts in all instances involving our student-athletes, and will reserve further judgment or comment until further information is available."

The arrest comes the same week kicker Rob Beard was charged with assault for a Jan. 24 altercation that precipitated a brawl that left him badly beaten and in need of facial surgery. Another kicker involved in the incident, Mike Bowlin, left the team this week and defensive end Matt Simms was dismissed from the squad after he was charged with assault in what police say was an attack on someone Simms thought was involved in the Beard beating.

James' next court date was scheduled for March 24.