Pair of off-field incidents has USC’s leading RB awaiting discipline

A hamstring injury suffered on the first day of spring practice cost Marc Tyler a majority of USC’s allotted sessions a couple of months ago.

Now, a pair of off-field issues could -- could -- lead to some missed playing time to start the 2011 season.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the senior running back appeared at a hearing before USC’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs recently and, the paper writes, “is awaiting possible disciplinary action for his alleged role in two off-the-field incidents.”

According to an incident report on USC’s Department of Public Safety website, a student on April 15 “reported that an intoxicated student spat on her after she and a friend escorted him to his residence.” On May 3, a report was filed for an incident that occurred April 28 at the 901 Club. “A student reported that she was sexually assaulted by another student,” read the post.

It should be noted that the sexual assault as described in the incident report was also described by the Times as inappropriately touching a female student at a bar. It should be further acknowledged that Tyler has admitted to the spitting incident but denied inappropriate touching.

Tyler, who’s been attending counseling sessions in the wake of those April incidents, released a statement apologizing for his alleged misconduct.

“It would not be appropriate for me to comment while I await the result of the Student Affairs hearing except to say that I regret my actions, I have apologized to all parties and I have sought counseling both within and outside the university.”

It’s unclear what type of punishment Tyler could be facing from both Student Affairs or the football program, although the latter could certainly sit the senior for the opener if the incidents are deemed serious enough and are proven.

Last season, Tyler led the Trojans with 913 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.