Northwestern suspends running back Mark

Northwestern senior running back Venric Mark has been suspended for the Wildcats first two football games this fall for a violation of team policy, school officials announced Friday.

Mark will sit out the Aug. 30 opener against California at Ryan Field and the next game against Northern Illinois on Sept. 6 in Evanston.

"I made a mistake and am prepared to deal with the consequences of that," Mark said in a statement released by the university.

Mark, a 5-foot-8, 175 pound running back and return specialist, was granted a fifth-year of eligibility after playing in only three games last season due to a leg injury.

In 2013, Mark collected 2,166 all-purpose yards and rushed for 1,366 yards. He earned all-American honors as a punt returner and was voted Northwestern's offensive MVP and second-team All-Big Ten as a running back.

"First and foremost, I feel like I let my teammates down, and that feels the worst," Mark said. "I'm grateful to have another season to compete with this team. My focus moving forward is on working as hard as I can in camp and supporting my teammates in practice and on gamedays so that we can achieve our goals this season."