Two Baylor players suspended amid sexual assault allegations

Two Baylor football players have been suspended amid allegations of sexual assault stemming from an off-campus incident in November.

Baylor coach Matt Rhule told Wace, Texas station KCEN-TV that the players had been "separated" from the team due to the investigation.

"I can't get into too many of the details on this specific incident," Rhule told KCEN-TV, per ESPN. "I really don't know too many of the details on this specific incident, but I do know things have been handled the right way."

Rhule declined to identify the players.

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Baylor president Linda Livingstone also released a statement through a university spokesperson on Tuesday night

"Baylor University takes any allegation of sexual assault seriously. The University's new leadership team is unwavering in our commitment to follow our well-documented Title IX policy and procedures in regards to reporting and responding to incidents of sexual assault. The responsibility of responding to alleged incidents of sexual violence does not rest solely in the hands of any specific individual or unit. It is a University response dictated by our Title IX policy. Baylor University remains committed to providing for the safety and security of our campus community," the statement said.

The original report states that two unnamed redshirt freshmen were among a group of four people being investigated for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred the night of Nov. 11, 2017, at the University Parks Apartments. Baylor lost to Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium that night.

A crime report on file is dated Nov. 17.

Per KWTX-TV, the crime log at Baylor says the incident was reported on Nov. 14 as "Alcohol-Minors Consuming/Sexual Assault," and was referred to university Judicial Affairs and Title IX offices. However, two heavily redacted police reports obtained by KWTX say only that campus officers took a report of a sexual assault.

The alleged victims are reportedly members of the school's equestrian team.

The criminal case report indicates that pictures and images were taken into evidence. Sources told KWTX-TV, the station reports, that video of the incident exists and may have been posted on social media.

Baylor mishandled sexual assault allegations and information, the university found, in 2016 after investigating a series of victim statements and subsequent follow-ups under head coach Art Briles. Briles was fired in 2016.

After Jim Grobe took over the program that year, Baylor hired Matt Rhule away from Temple and the Bears went 1-11 last season.

--Field Level Media