College Football | Pac-10 allows Oregon's LeGarrette Blount to come back

Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, who was apparently suspended for the season after punching a Boise State player after the Ducks' opener, has been allowed to rejoin the team.

The university requested Blount's reinstatement, which was approved by Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott on Monday.

Blount will be able to play for the No. 14 Ducks on Saturday night when they host Arizona State. He missed eight games.

Blount issued a statement saying he was grateful to Oregon coach Chip Kelly for giving him a second chance.

"Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise," he said.

Blount punched Byron Hout after the nationally televised game, bringing the Broncos' defensive end to his knees. The next day Blount was apparently suspended for the season by Kelly, but he was allowed to keep his scholarship and practice with the team.

Kelly later said if Blount met certain academic and behavioral conditions, he could return.

Notes

• Memphis fired coach Tommy West, saying the school wants to go in a different direction after the season. The Tigers are 2-7 this season, dropping West's record at Memphis to 49-58. West will receive a buyout in excess of $2.7 million, according to media reports.

• Western Kentucky fired David Elson, though he will finish out the season. The Hilltoppers have lost 17 in a row and Elson's record at the school is 39-41. He will receive a $500,000 buyout.

• Michigan athletic director Bill Martin pushed a student and grabbed the jacket of another student, according to department of public safety reports.

In each case, the students reportedly told Martin he needed a pass to enter the regents guest area of the press box.

Michigan student Jackie Turner and Eastern Michigan student Arif Khan said they were uninjured and did not want to press charges.

Martin, in a statement, apologized. Last month, Martin announced he is retiring.

• UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince has been cleared to practice and is expected to play Saturday at Washington State after showing no complications from a concussion. Prince was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Washington's Donald Butler on Saturday.