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"LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) Use of an ineligible player has cost the University of Southwestern Louisiana the forfeit of its two football victories and barred the Ragin' Cajuns from competing for the Southland Conference championship.
A USL spokesman said Thursday the school unintentionally misinterpreted student transfer rules in allowing punter Ken Mathews to play.
Mathews transferred from Tampa, which dropped football, to Valencia (Fla.) Junior College, which has no football program. He then transferred to USL.
National Collegiate Athletic Association rules say a student athlete transferring from a four-year college to a junior college and then to another four year college must be a junior college graduate in order to be eligible for football. Mathews did not graduate from Valencia.
The penalty was imposed by the conference executive committee.
"Our reading of the rule was different from the conference office," said Coach Angle Tammariello.
Tammaneo said he told the team about the ruling and "the initial reaction was basically good. We will know for sure Saturday night against Louisiana Tech."
Forfeits were ordered in games where USL thumped Fresno State 41-14 and edged Cincinnati 7-3. Mathews had a punting average of 42.8 yards.
Other Southland Conference members are McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State, Texas-Arlington and Lamar.