NCAA Football

K-State’s starting running back suspended

Kansas State suddenly may have a big hole in its backfield after junior running back Leon Patton was arrested early this week.

Patton was pulled over early Monday morning in Manhattan, Kan., and issued a citation for driving with a suspended license. But during a routine background check, officers found Patton had two outstanding warrants: for a theft in 2007 and a failure-to-appear charge on an unpaid parking ticket.

Patton faces one count of misdemeanor theft in after allegedly stealing less than $1,000 in merchandise — primarily video games — from the Manhattan Wal-Mart in November 2007. The theft warrant was issued Feb. 1. The failure to appear warrant stemmed from an unpaid parking ticket issued in January. 

Patton has been be suspended from the team indefinitely, according to the school’s sports information director.

Patton was K-State’s leading rusher as a freshman, gaining 609 yards and scoring six touchdowns. He rushed for 390 yards and four touchdowns last season behind senior James Johnson and was the starter heading into 2008 after two seasons as a change-of-pace back.

If he’s gone for part or all of the season, the Wildcats could be in a bind, as their remaining running backs have no Division I snaps among them.

Daniel Thomas, a four-star prospect who is completing academic requirements at Northwest (Miss.) Community College, could be the answer. He was a JuCo quarterback who is expected to play running back at K-State.

Keithen Valentine, a 5-foot-9 walk-on from Mississippi Delta Junior College, was the star of spring practice, and he capped a strong camp by rushing for 104 yards in K-State’s spring game. He could be the favorite to get the bulk of carries. Redshirt freshmen Justin Woods and Dee Bell also could contend for playing time.

K-State could use some stability in the backfield, as the Wildcats ended 2007 with four losses in a row, and coach Ron Prince brought in 19 JuCo transfers in hoping for quick fix. If Patton is lost, that puts more pressure on talented but erratic quarterback Josh Freeman.

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