According to reports, Penn State football players are being interviewed by the State College Police Department in connection with an assault, trespass and burglary that occurred over the weekend at an off-campus apartment.

On Tuesday's Web site, The Daily Collegian, an independent student newspaper, reported 11 to 12 men forced their way into an apartment on East College Avenue early Sunday morning and assaulted several men inside.

The Daily Collegian reported a dispute on a nearby street corner led to the fight in which the suspects pushed their way into the apartment and, once inside, struck one person with a bottle and kicked another in the face.

State College Police chief Thomas R. King confirmed that an incident occurred at the apartment early Sunday morning, but wouldn't confirm names of the victims or potential suspects, nor would he say if any football players were involved.

The Daily Collegian also reported cornerback Justin King of Gateway High School confirmed that he had been present at the scene and had spoken to police about it but was not involved.

"We have completed numerous interviews of persons who were witnesses, victims and suspects," the police chief said. "We still have additional interviews that need to take place.

"The victims reported approximately 10 persons forced their way into the apartment, and, while inside, two individuals were assaulted. With this particular incident, we are investigating criminal trespass, burglary and simple assault.

"Burglary is being investigated in this case because if you go in somewhere unwelcome and then once inside commit a crime, you have committed burglary."

The police chief said it is common practice for his department to not release any names in incidents that are under investigation.

"It will probably be one or two weeks before we're able to consult with the Centre County district attorney on what charges we'd file and, if any, what warrants would be issued," he said. "The district attorney is working on a murder case right now, so that office is very busy. After that is over, they will have the time to sit down with us."

Guido D'Elia, Penn State's director of branding and communications, told the Daily Collegian, "We know something occurred, [but] we don't know what occurred. [Penn State coach Joe Paterno] just wants to make sure he gets all this information before he determines how he wants to handle it. As in the past, he'll make sure he handles it."

A message left on D'Elia's cell phone yesterday morning wasn't immediately returned.