TAMPA, Fla. -- Penn State running back Austin Scott was sent back to Pennsylvania by coach Joe Paterno for an unspecified violation of team rules as his teammates prepare for the Outback Bowl against Tennessee Monday.

Scott arrived in Tampa late last week and was sent home Sunday, according to Jeff Nelson, Penn State's associate athletic director for media relations. Paterno was unavailable for comment yesterday. He will address reporters today for the first time since arriving in Tampa.

Scott, a senior who is taking a redshirt this season, spent the year playing on Penn State's scout team and was expected to be Penn State's starting running back next season. Paterno had praised Scott throughout the season for his acceptance of his role. Nelson said Scott has not been kicked off the team, but he will not be at the bowl game.

A 6-foot, 209-pound native of Allentown, Scott has had a mostly disappointing college career. He came to Penn State with high expectations and was expected to be an impact player. He led the team in rushing as a freshman, but was supplanted by Tony Hunt, who has been the starter the past three seasons.

Scott was sent home almost a year after his brightest moment as a Penn State player. When Hunt was hurt in the first quarter of the Orange Bowl in January of this year, Scott came off the bench and helped Penn State beat Florida State. Scott rushed for 110 yards on 26 carries and scored twice in Penn State's 26-23 triple-overtime victory.

Scott is the third Penn State player to be suspended for the bowl game. Starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson was suspended from the team before the team left for Tampa last week. Nelson revelaed yesterday that reserve defensive back Spencer Ridenhour also was suspended last week and did not make the trip.