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Matt Fortuna, ESPN Staff Writer 12y

Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees charged

College Football, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees was released from jail on $250 bond late Thursday afternoon after being charged with four misdemeanors as a result of his arrest early Thursday morning at an off-campus house party, St. Joseph County police spokesperson Sgt. Bill Redman said.

Rees faces four misdemeanors: minor consumption, two counts of resisting law enforcement and battery. He initially was jailed on a preliminary felony charge of battery on a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest and alcohol charges.

With the felony charge reduced, a potential imminent expulsion from school no longer looks like a possibility for Rees. The school's disciplinary code states that if a student is charged with a felony, Notre Dame "reserves the right to take summary action and temporarily dismiss the student."

Linebacker Carlo Calabrese also was arrested, for disorderly conduct, and has since been released from jail after posting $150 bond, South Bend police Capt. Phil Trent said.

Trent said Rees was among about five people who jumped a backyard fence and ran after officers arrived at the party, located at 716 N. Notre Dame Ave.

Trent said when the officer, Brandon Stec, caught up with Rees, the 19-year-old raised his knee into the officer and they both fell in a scuffle, leaving Stec with a bloody right arm when he hit the pavement.

Rees continued "thrashing around and resisting," according to Trent, at which point Rees was subdued with pepper spray and placed in handcuffs. Trent said Rees continued to resist and pull away from officers.

Trent said that Calabrese tried to intervene by explaining who Rees was. When Calabrese realized it was to no avail, the linebacker threatened an officer, saying, "My people are going to get you," according to Trent.

Party-goers tried to restrain Calabrese, who ultimately pushed the others away and reiterated his threat to the officer. He then was taken into custody, Trent said.

Trent said Rees registered 0.11 percent on a blood-alcohol test; Calabrese, 21, registered 0.12.

Coach Brian Kelly released a statement mid-afternoon Thursday, saying he was "concerned" over the allegations.

"I am aware of last night's incident involving two of our football players. I am of course very concerned given the nature of the allegations, but I am still gathering information," he said. "I'll withhold judgment until I can collect all the facts and speak with both Carlo and Tommy."

Rees, a rising junior, is 12-4 as a starter at Notre Dame and is competing with three others for the starting job this season. He has completed more than 64 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,977 yards with 32 touchdowns and 22 interceptions the past two seasons.

Calabrese, entering his senior season, has played in 24 games, starting eight. He has 97 career tackles, six tackles for loss and 3½ sacks.

Both likely will enter Notre Dame's student disciplinary process and could face additional penalties from the school or Kelly.

"The university is aware of this incident and is confident that it will be handled in a prompt and professional manner through the criminal justice system," Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said in a statement. "Internal discipline is handled privately, in accord with our own policies and federal law."

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