Penn State's off-the-field problems just won't go away.

Two starters -- All-American defensive end candidate Maurice Evans and tackle Abe Koroma -- and backup tight end Andrew Quarless will not play in tomorrow's game against Oregon State because of alleged involvement in an incident this week at the Nittany Apartments on campus in which university police seized a small amount of marijuana.

Police responded to a complaint about loud noise in an apartment after 8 p.m. Tuesday. The search warrant lists cornerback/kick returner A.J. Wallace, Quarless, Koroma and Evans as residents.

In announcing the suspensions yesterday, coach Joe Paterno also said backup cornerback Willie Harriott has been removed from the team in an unrelated action, but Paterno did not give a reason.

Concerning the apartment incident, police spokesman Bill Moerschbacher said yesterday it could be two more weeks before their investigation concludes. No citations have been issued.

Paterno said Wallace will be available to play against the Beavers.

"Wallace was not part of that situation, but Evans, Quarless and Koroma were," Paterno said on his weekly radio show. "It's unfortunate. We preach, preach, preach and they stepped out of the line and they deserve what they're going to get. Whatever that's going to be, I don't know.

"My feeling on all of this is they have a responsibility to the program, they have a responsibility to themselves and their family. They have a responsibility to their teammates, and if they did something as dumb as it appears they did -- I'm not sure if they did or didn't yet -- or even being close to that kind of thing, I'm not going to play any one of those three kids this weekend."

Paterno said he would not make a final decision on the status of his suspended players until he has gathered all of the information.

The dismissal of Harriott marks the fourth player to be dropped from the team because of disciplinary reasons since April. The other players were wide receiver Chris Bell and defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor.

A recent ESPN "Outside the Lines" report found that 46 Penn State players have been charged with 163 criminal complaints since 2002. Forty-five of those complaints resulted in guilty pleas or convictions.

Of the 46 players charged, 27 pleaded guilty or were convicted. A year ago, 17 players were charged with 72 crimes. Nine charges resulted in guilty pleas.

Without Evans and Koroma, Penn State's defensive line will be razor thin against Oregon State. Both players started in last week's opener against Coastal Carolina and had two tackles apiece.

Evans, the team's best defensive player, had 12 1/2 sacks a year ago. He likely will be replaced in the starting lineup tomorrow by Aaron Maybin. Jared Odrick is expected to start in place of Koroma.

Quarless was cited for underage drinking in August 2007 and missed the first two games. He was hit with a DUI arrest in March and suspended from spring drills for that incident, as well as for poor grades.