NEW YORK — Ohio State star Maurice Clarett received assistance to pass a class before the Fiesta Bowl, a university professor told The New York Times for Sunday's editions.
The running back passed African-American and African Studies 101 by taking two oral exams, Paulette Pierce, an associate professor, told the newspaper. She said she worked directly with Clarett and administered the exams after he walked out of the course's midterm exam during the fall semester.
It wasn't clear whether Clarett received special consideration, or whether university or NCAA rules were broken. Clarett, a freshman standout on the Buckeyes' national championship team, did not respond to the newspaper's requests for an interview.
Pierce also said several football players told her that tutors occasionally wrote their papers, but she had no direct proof.
"We are shocked and dismayed by the allegations," university president Karen Holbrook and athletic director Andy Geiger said in a statement Saturday night. "We have a rigorous system of checks and balances in place to prevent the kind of misconduct that is charged."
Holbrook and Geiger called a news conference for Sunday to answer questions about the allegations.
NCAA spokesman Jeff Howard declined comment Saturday.
Kenneth Goings, chairman of the Department of African-American and African studies, told the newspaper that Pierce had the discretion to decide whether to give oral exams.
Despite numerous injuries, Clarett set Ohio State freshman records with 1,237 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns last season as the Buckeyes beat Miami 31-24 in double-overtime for the national title.