Updated

The University of Albany has suspended senior tailback Drew Smith a day before Saturday's key Northeast Conference game against Wagner College.

Head coach Bob Ford said Smith was suspended for violating team rules.

Albany (7-1, 5-0) is in first place in the NEC, one-half game in front of Wagner (5-3, 5-1).

Smith has rushed fro 783 yards, including five 100-yard games. He is among the leading scorers in the Football Championship Subdivision with a career-high 15 touchdowns.