A Penn State football player has been kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules, and three others will miss this weekend's game against Oregon State because of a separate, off-field issue coach Joe Paterno said yesterday.

Reserve defensive back Willie Harriott is off the squad, Paterno said last night on his weekly radio show.

In November, Harriott, of New Haven, Conn., was arrested for driving under the influence and speeding.

Paterno also said yesterday that defensive linemen Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, and tight end Andrew Quarless will sit out tomorrow's game against Oregon State. Paterno said he's still gathering information on a recent off-field incident.

Evans, Koroma and Quarless, along with cornerback A.J. Wallace, had been held out of Wednesday's practice for unspecified reasons. But Paterno said yesterday that Wallace would be available for the Oregon State game.

Of the three players who will sit out, Evans' absence might affect the Nittany Lions the most. The junior emerged as a pass-rushing force last season with 12 1/2 sacks.

No. 19 Penn State has had to deal with a string of off-field issues over the last couple seasons.

Earlier this year, receiver Chris Bell was kicked off the team after police said he threatened a teammate with a knife in a dining hall.

Defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor got the boot last month for other off-field reasons.

ELSEWHERE

Cincinnati: Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk testified yesterday that a foot injury prevented him from playing or even practicing at times during his freshman season in 2003 at Wake Forest, where he played before transferring to Cincinnati. Mauk should be granted a sixth year of eligibility and that the NCAA has been unwilling to listen to Mauk's arguments, attorney Kevin Murphy told Hardin County Judge William Hart, who is overseeing the lawsuit in the town (Kenton, Ohio) where Mauk grew up.

Ohio State: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will not play when the third-ranked Buckeyes take on Ohio tomorrow. Wells injured his right foot in last weekend's 43-0 victory over Youngstown State. He has not practiced with the team this week and has spent much of the time wearing a protective boot.