Sports

Rutgers dismisses QB charged in brutal assault

Philip Nelson’s disastrous stint in the Rutgers football program is over. The quarterback – who transferred from Minnesota in January – was dismissed from the program Tuesday following his weekend arrest for assault.

Nelson was charged with one count of first degree assault and one count of third degree assault in connection with a bar fight in Mankato, Minn., that left 24-year-old Isaac Kolstad in critical condition.

Scarlet Knights coach Kyle Flood made the announcement via a statement.

“The Rutgers football family’s thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family,” said Flood, who was not available for comment.

Nelson appeared in Blue Earth County court Monday wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, with his hands cuffed and his ankles chained. First degree assault carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

He requested an omnibus hearing, which is a pretrial hearing, essentially to determine the admissibility of evidence – including testimony and evidence seized at the time of arrest. Nelson posted a $20,000 bail with conditions Monday night.

AP
While Nelson was in court, Kolstad was in the Mayo Clinic in Mankato. According to the complaint filed Monday afternoon, a neurosurgeon with the hospital said Kolstad was suffering from “a severe head injury and a severe pulmonary injury” and medical personnel are not sure whether the victim will survive the attack.

In the complaint, witnesses described Nelson as being upset over attention being paid to his girlfriend. A police sergeant who viewed surveillance video described Kolstad – who played football at Minnesota State – as striking Nelson in the back, then moving away and being pursued and struck by an unidentified man, who fled the scene.

Mankato Police confirmed a second suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault.

“Nelson pushes past others, approaches I.K. and delivers at least one kick to the left side of I.K.’s head. Sergeant Knutson noted that the video clearly shows that I.K. was defenseless as Nelson delivers the kick or kicks to the head,’’ the complaint reads.

Nelson started for two years at Minnesota before transferring to Rutgers. He would have sat out the upcoming season – the Scarlet Knights’ first in the Big Ten – but then had two years of eligibility left.

With incumbent starter Gary Nova graduating after this year, Nelson would have been a legitimate contender to earn the starting job. The Scarlet Knights have no quarterbacks on the roster other than Nova who have thrown a pass in a college game.