Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) Nebraska football player Andy Christensen has been found not guilty of first degree sexual assault.

A Lancaster County District Court jury reached the decision on Tuesday. Christensen turned to his attorneys and smiled moments after the verdict was read in court.

The offensive lineman was accused of reaching under the skirt of a 23-year-old woman and molesting her at the Brass Rail bar in downtown Lincoln.

He was suspended from the team following the March incident.

Last month, Christensen pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and criminal mischief in connection with the sexual-assault case. He'll likely be sentenced on those two misdemeanors in November.

If Christensen had been convicted of the felony, he could have been sentenced to one to 50 years in prison.

The 22-year-old Christensen started three games at left guard last season before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. He remained suspended from the football team Tuesday.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he won't make any decisions about Christensen's status until he gets more information and talks to the player.

"Everything will weigh into it, and like I said, I don't know all the facts and all the circumstances," Pelini said. "When I do, we'll come to a conclusion as a football program and athletic department, and we'll make a definitive statement at that point."

---=

On the Net:

University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics: http://www.huskers.com