West Virginia cornerback Ickey Banks suspended for three games

West Virginia cornerback Ishmael “Ickey” Banks will be suspended for the first three games for an academic issue.

West Virginia suspended cornerback Ishmael “Ickey” Banks for the first three games cornerback after the NCAA reinstated him because of an eligibility issue. 

Banks was being held out of fall practice while the NCAA ruled on his case. 

Banks is allowed to practice with the team while he is serving his suspension. He will miss the season opener Saturday against Alabama in Atlanta, a Sept. 6 home game against FCS-runner up Towson and a road game at Maryland on Sept 13.

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The cornerback can return when the Mountaineers play fourth-ranked Oklahoma the next week. 

Banks had 32 total tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery last season for the Mountaineers, who return seven starters from a defense that gave up 455 yards and 33 points per game last season.

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