Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Retstis resigned Wednesday after FAU athletic director Patrick Chun confronted them about reports the two had attended a social event where illegal drugs were being used. He said both tendered their resignations after he confronted them.

"On Monday, I was made aware of these concerns and I immediately reported the allegations to our General Counsel," Chun said at a news conference Wednesday. "The University acted quickly and decisively to follow up and take action that is in the best interests of our student-athletes and the University overall. I can assure you that we have no information that suggests anyone other than these two individuals engaged in these activities."

Pelini and Rekstis were taken from the football offices today by police, but no arrests were made.

"I apologize for exercising poor judgement," Pelini said in a statement. "My greatest concerns at this time are for me family, the dedicated FAU players and my staff. I am confident that Pat Chun and the University administration will continue to move the program forward.”

Chun said he told the players the news shortly before the announcement Wednesday and the reaction was "shock, dismay and disbelief."

"What I do know is that the FAU football team is a resilient group of young men and they will work through this, and learn and grow from this experience," he said. "It is a heartbreaking day for us all."

Offensive coordinator Brian Wright will take over the team, according to Chun. This is Wright's second season at FAU after joining Pelini's staff in 2012 after three years as offensive coordinator at Montana State.

Linebackers coach Jovan DeWitt steps in as defensive coordinator. He also joined the FAU staff prior to the 2012 season.

Pelini went 3-9 last season and the Owls are 2-6 this season after last week’s 45-10 loss at Auburn. The Owls are 1-4 in Conference USA. They play Tulane at home Saturday.


NEW RULES ANNOUNCED


The NCAA announced new rules Wednesday that focus on recruiting and summer access to student-athletes.

The Division I Board of Directors addressed issues cited by coaches, according to the report.

—School staff member cannot attend all-star games or activities or have contact with participating recruits from the time the recruit arrives at the event until he returns home from it.

—Football student-athletes are allowed to participate in preparations for the season during an eight-week period each summer. Those weeks can include eight hours per week for required weight training and conditioning. Students must be enrolled in summer school or meet academic benchmarks to participate.

—A dead period when no in-person recruiting is allowed that will occur during winter holidays. That period is Dec. 16, 2013, through Jan. 15, 2014, for the current recruiting cycle.

—A 14-day dead period in late June/early July for FBS schools will be added.

—Schools can pay for meals for up to four family members who are on a recruiting visit with a recruit.


GATORS LOSE STARTING LT


Florida left tackle D.J. Humphries will miss Saturday's game against Georgia and could be sidelined four weeks with a knee injury.

Coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday that Humphries sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in practice Monday. He sustained the same injury in his left knee during fall practice.

Muschamp says Humphries is a "quick recovery guy" and could be back in two weeks. The Gators (4-3) already were down four starters and several more backups.

Tyler Moore will start at left tackle against Georgia, and junior college transfer Trenton Brown will start at right tackle. Moore was beaten repeatedly in Florida's last two games, both losses.

Florida will have defensive end Ronald Powell, defensive tackle Damien Jacobs and linebacker Darrin Kitchens back Saturday.


WASHINGTON’S WILLIAMS OUT


Washington wide receiver Kasen Williams will be sidelined up to four months after surgery to repair a broken bone in his lower left leg and an injury to his foot.

Washington coach Steve Sarkisian announced the timeline on Williams after practice on Wednesday.

Williams was injured in the second quarter of Washington's 41-17 win over California last Saturday. Williams underwent surgery on Tuesday and Sarkisian said the expectation is the recovery will be between two and four months.

A more specific timeline will emerge during his recovery, Sarkisian said.

Williams had 29 catches for 321 yards and one touchdown before getting injured. He led Washington in receiving a year ago with 77 receptions for 878 yards and six touchdowns.


MORE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS


The Butkus Award is given each year to the nation’s top linebacker. Here are the semifinalists for the 2013 award announced this week:

Anthony Barr, UCLA; Lamin Barrow, LSU; Chris Borland, Wisconsin; Khairi Fortt, Cal; C.J. Mosley, Alabama; Denzel Perryman, Miami; Trevor Reilly, Utah; Ryan Shazier, Ohio State; Shayne Skov, Stanford; Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut; Kyle Van Noy, BYU.

Also this week, the Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists were named. The award goes to the nation’s top defensive back. They are:

C.J. Barnett, Ohio State; Deone Bucannon, Washington State; Landon Collins, Alabama; Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma; Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State; Ifo Ekpre Olomu, Oregon; Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech; Vernon Hargreaves, Florida; Lamarcus Joyner, FSU; Steven Nelson, Oregon State; Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss; Calvin Pryor, Louisville; Jason Verrett, TCU; Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois; Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State.

Contributors: Ken Bradley, The Associated Press