Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has suspended linebacker Channing Crowder and safety Jarvis Herring for the season opener after both were arrested for scuffling with police outside a local nightclub earlier this summer, the school said Tuesday.





The Gators open the 2004 season at home against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 4.



Crowder, the SEC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, was charged with disorderly conduct after he got into a loud argument outside The Palace nightclub, a Gainesville police report said. Herring was charged with resisting or obstructing without violence.



Police said Crowder got into two arguments during the incident and later led police on a foot chase when the linebacker followed one of the men he was arguing with. One officer fell during the chase and Crowder later refused to put his hands behind his back when police tried to handcuff him, the report said.



Crowder had been arrested outside the same bar last year for allegedly beating a man unconscious.



According to the report, Herring "repeatedly interfered" with the officers as they tried to arrest Crowder. He also refused officers' commands to leave the area.



Crowder led all freshmen nationally with 9.6 tackles per game. Herring played in 11 games last season, making 24 tackles.



The Gators open fall practice Aug. 9.