Pac-10 reinstates Oregon's Blount

Oregons LeGarrette Blount (9) scores a point after conversion against Boise State during the second half of the NCAA college football game on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. BSU went on to win 19-8. Blount was involved in a post game fight where he threw a punch at a Boise State player. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)

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Story Published: Nov 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2009 at 8:35 PM PDT

By Associated Press and Kiersten Throndsen

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) — Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott says he has approved the request from Oregon to reinstate running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended in September after he punched a Boise State player.

Scott said in an announcement Monday that after reviewing the situation he was "convinced LeGarrette Blount paid a significant and appropriate price for the mistakes he made on the field, and that he has learned important lifelong lessons."

Blount will be eligible to play in Saturday's home game against Arizona State.

Oregon suspended Blount for the season after he punched Boise State's Byron Hout on the field after the season opener in Idaho.

"It was a long road back for him but he fulfilled everything that we asked him to do," said Coach Kelly during a press conference.

The PAC-10 Commission made the decision to reinstate Blount after stating he's learned from his mistakes and paid the price.

Following the news BSU head football coach Chris Petersen was asked his thoughts.

"We have tremendous respect for Oregon. Those coaches - we know most of them very well - so whatever they decide we're 100 percent behind," he said.

But while some Boise State fans aren't so sure.

"I don't think that being reinstated this year was a good idea," said Mathew Smith, a freshman at BSU.

Others say what's done is done.

"He's met the requirements that his coach gave him academically and with the team so I think it's good that he's back," said Ben Douglass, a senior at BSU.

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