Battle Kicked Off Team

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino wasted little time deciding on a punishment for linebacker Khiry Battle following his second arrest in less than two months.

Petrino announced Monday that Battle has been dismissed from the team for violating team rules, ending the sophomore’s short and unproductive stint with the Razorbacks.

Battle, 20, was arrested early Sunday and faces charges of driving under the influence and violation of the city’s noise ordinance. He was also charged in connection with violation of Arkansas’ implied consent law after refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

The linebacker was released from the Washington County Jail at 5:07 a.m. Sunday after posting an $830 bond. Around 31 hours later, he and the Razorbacks parted ways.

“Khiry has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules,” Petrino said in a statement released through Arkansas’ athletic department. “Being a member of the Razorback football program requires responsible actions on and off the field.”

Battle was arrested May 6 for failure to appear after University of Arkansas campus police learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest for not paying a careless driving ticket.

Petrino appeared to be sending a message by quickly dismissing Battle from the team. Since March, four Arkansas football players have been arrested five times, including starting quarterback Ryan Mallett for public intoxication.

Defensive tackle Lavunce Askew remains suspended indefinitely after he was arrested May 30 and charged in connection with felony theft of property. Police say the sophomore stole a laptop worth $1,300 from a man’s home.

Battle’s departure is a blow to the Razorbacks’ depth at linebacker. He ended the spring as the backup middle linebacker behind senior Wendel Davis. As a freshman last season, Battle recorded five tackles in 10 games at safety.