Penn St. RB Austin Scott charged with rape, assault

By GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Suspended Penn State running back Austin Scott is charged with raping a woman at his campus apartment after meeting her at a bar.

Scott was arraigned Friday on charges of rape, sexual assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault, all felonies, in connection with the Oct. 5 encounter. According to court papers, Scott told investigators the woman did not initially want to have sex.

Scott declined to comment as he left the courtroom Friday.

"The interaction he had with the woman involved was consensual, and we anticipate we will be able to prove that in court," Scott's attorney, Joseph Amendola, said. "Very optimistic. We're looking forward to the opportunity of establishing his innocence."

Authorities said the encounter occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 5. Coach Joe Paterno suspended Scott later that day, and the school announced the next day the tailback had violated an unspecified team rule.

Scott remains enrolled at Penn State.

"As with the case with any sexual assault, we consider it a matter adjudicated by the court, and we can't get into details at this point," university spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.

Scott also faces three misdemeanors: two counts of indecent assault and one count of simple assault. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail and ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.

Scott is still on the roster but still suspended, team spokesman Jeff Nelson said Friday.

"As coach Paterno stated earlier this week, he has not participated with the team since the end of last week and we do not have any further comment at this point," Nelson said.

A preliminary hearing for Scott was scheduled for Wednesday.

Scott, a fifth-year senior, ran for 302 yards and six touchdowns this season before his suspension last week. He arrived at Penn State in 2003 a highly touted recruit after setting state records of 3,853 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior at Parkland High School in Allentown.

He led Penn State in rushing his freshman year (436 yards), but nagging injuries and other off-field issues kept him lagging on the depth chart. He redshirted last season after being slowed by an ankle injury.