Morency Won’t Be Disciplined Further

Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles said Monday that there is no need for further disciplinary action regarding rape allegations against Vernand Morency, the nation’s third-leading rusher.

Miles said he was aware of the allegations last season and he took action at the time, although there was no public announcement.

Morency was never charged with rape.

Morency, who has averaged 176 yards for the 22nd-ranked Cowboys (4-0), was suspended during spring and summer workouts last year as a result of a misdemeanor charge of knowingly receiving stolen property filed after a university police officer arrested him while riding a stolen bicycle.

Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson said university police conducted a thorough investigation into the rape allegations and prosecutors also sought DNA tests through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Hudson said prosecutors believed the strength of the evidence was not enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Morency was guilty.

The rape allegations emerged again Monday after the university’s student newspaper, The Daily O’Collegian, reported on records of the allegations.