Reed makes impact in his return for Mocs

photo Moc assistant coach Geep Wade talks to the UTC offensive line on the sidelines.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive tackle Keyon Reed returned to the field Saturday for the first time since he was arrested on a domestic assault charge on Sept. 18.

Reed started two of UTC's first three games, making seven tackles, including a sack. Saturday, in his first action since the Eastern Kentucky game on Sept. 17, Reed forced a fumble on a sack and later recovered a fumble.

"It's just good to play football again," Reed said after UTC's 51-7 win over Western Carolina.

Coach Russ Huesman suspended Reed following the arrest, and the redshirt freshman had been practicing with the scout team until this week. Huesman, with the support of UTC athletic director Rick Hart, lifted the suspension following the completion of a UTC student conduct judicial review.

"We held him out until the process was resolved, and it got resolved and he got to play," Huesman said.

UTC spokesman Chuck Cantrell, speaking generally and not about Reed's case, said a student would be allowed to return to extracurricular activities once he or she had fulfilled the requirements of the review.

"It was our preference that we wait until we get a little more information [before allowing Reed to return]," Hart said before the game. "We feel like we got the information we need from the campus process to allow him to return to play."

Reed still has a Hamilton County court date Oct. 24, when the criminal charge of domestic assault will be addressed. The charge stems from a Sept. 6 incident at an ex-girlfriend's off-campus home.

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