VENTURA, Calif. – The Latest on a Southern California football player arrested for punching referee (all times local):
3:20 p.m.
A Southern California referee who was knocked unconscious during a college football game is said to be doing fine.
Rich Kollen of the Southern California Football Association says he spoke to the ref Sunday and was told the man was a little sore but has no headache or other problems.
Kollen says the ref was checked for concussion and cleared by trainers for both teams but hasn't seen a physician.
Kollen says the ref — whose name hasn't been released — is scheduled to officiate another game Saturday.
Video shows the referee trying to break up a fight during a game Saturday night, and then going down. Mount San Antonio College freshman Vernard Schirmer was arrested on suspicion of battery and has apologized.
The school has concluded the hit was unintentional.
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7:47 a.m.
A California junior college football player who was arrested after he appeared to punch a referee during a game has apologized, saying it was an accident.
Video shows the referee falling to the ground as he tried to break up a fight on the field. Police say he was knocked unconscious.
Mount San Antonio College freshman Bernard Schirmer was ejected from the game Saturday and later arrested on suspicion of battery. He posted bail Sunday.
Schirmer tells the Ventura County Star newspaper (http://bit.ly/2cQZh4e) that he often tries to calm down by hitting himself on the helmet and he didn't realize the line judge was so close. Schirmer says he's "truly sorry."
College officials say they reviewed video footage and talked to witnesses, concluding that Schirmer "unintentionally hit the referee."
Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Schirmer.
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