Pac-10 commissioner to meet with Blount regarding reinstatement

EUEGENE, Ore. -- Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott, here to attend Saturday night's USC-Oregon game, said he will meet Sunday with LeGarrette Blount in anticipation of a request by the school to reinstate the Ducks' suspended running back for next week's game against Stanford.

Scott said he will attend a series of meetings Sunday with Oregon officials, including university president Richard Lariviere, athletic director Mike Bellotti, head coach Chip Kelly and Blount to learn more about the conditions that were set for Blount's possible reinstatement and to assess his progress toward meeting those goals.

Kelly originally suspended Blount for the season Sept. 4, a day after the player punched Boise State's Byron Hout and had to be forcibly removed from the field following the Ducks' 19-8 loss to the Broncos. On Oct. 2, Kelly announced that Blount's suspension could be lifted in time for the Nov. 7 Stanford game if the player met certain "academic and behavioral" conditions.

Oregon's initial suspension of Blount was approved by the conference, and any changes to it would need to be approved by Scott.

"I want to understand all essential components of the [reinstatement] agreement and how he's doing," said Scott, who said he's been in contact with the university but has yet to speak with Blount. "It's important to me I'll be able to hear from him."

Kelly said earlier this week he would not address Blount's situation until after Saturday's game. According to the Eugene Register Guard, Kelly is receiving reports on Blount's progress from Tim Bruegman, Oregon's academic coordinator for the football program, and James Harris, assistant athletic director for student-athlete development. Any decision to reinstate Blount would have to be approved by Bellotti, Lariviere and, ultimately, Scott.

"They have to initiate [the reinstatement request]," said Scott, "but I didn't want to slow it up. It could happen soon. Anything's possible."