Nebraska Football Players Avoid Charges After Sexual Assault Investigation

Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly confirmed Wednesday he will not be filing charges after the report of a sexual assault at the home of multiple Nebraska football players.

"I believe the victim," Lincoln Police Chief Jim Peschong said, per Nichole Manna of the Lincoln Journal Star, but added “we do not believe we have the elements of a crime.”

After the announcement, the Nebraska athletic department released a statement, per Manna, saying: "We are aware of this morning's announcement by the Lincoln Police Department and the Lancaster County Attorney. There is no change in the status of any student-athletes. We will continue to follow University policies."

On Monday, head coach Mike Riley said the players will practice ahead of Nebraska's game against Iowa, per the Associated Press. However, Riley did say he was not assured the players would avoid suspension.

The investigation stemmed from an alleged rape that occurred at the home of Nebraska starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.

On Nov. 17, Paul Hammel and Joe Duggan of the Omaha World-Herald reported a 20-year-old woman reported the alleged sexual assault upon arriving at a Lincoln hospital at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

The report cites Lincoln police spokeswoman Katie Flood as the source of the information and adds the alleged victim knows the suspect, though no arrests have been made. Police said the alleged assault occurred between approximately 2:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.

Armstrong was interviewed Nov. 15 at his home and indicated he was hosting a party after the Cornhuskers' 31-14 win over Rutgers. The junior signal-caller also spoke to the World-Herald (via ESPN.com) about the alleged assault.

"I don't know why that person said that," said Armstrong of the alleged victim. "We're confused about the whole situation. From what we're hearing, everything was consensual."

Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp is Armstrong's roommate and was also interviewed by police, as was tight end Trey Foster, according to what Armstrong told the World-Herald.