Austin Scott did not dress for the Iowa game Saturday, and Joe Paterno said his status on the Penn State football team "is very much in doubt as far as playing" after the fifth-year senior broke an unspecified team rule.

Scott has been kicked off the team, his mother, JoAnn Scott, said yesterday. Austin Scott cleaned out his locker and went home for the weekend Friday night, JoAnn Scott said, adding he returned to campus yesterday for Monday classes.

She would not comment on what team rule Austin Scott broke, saying she's been instructed not to speak on the issue.

"When all the facts come out, I don't think this is going to prove to be what they thought it was," she said.

Austin Scott did not return phone messages seeking comment. However, JoAnn Scott said her son was "upset."

"It kinda, like, blindsided him," she said. "He doesn't really feel that he did anything that was worthy of being kicked off the team. I don't know all the rules and regulations of the team. I'm not sure if he's correct in his assumption of that."

Paterno wouldn't comment specifically regarding Austin Scott's punishment.

"Scott broke a team rule," he said, "and I think that's as much as I'm going to say."

Pressed further, Paterno said, "I don't think it's fair for me to get into anything right now."

Scott has been one of two main running backs this season for the Nittany Lions, splitting time with fifth-year senior Rodney Kinlaw. In five games, Austin Scott rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 69 carries. It is unclear when or if he will rejoin the team.

"We're waiting to see what's going to happen," JoAnn Scott said. "I'm not sure what the process is."

The team learned Friday night that Austin Scott would not play against Iowa, players said.

"As far as his situation, I don't know any details or anything pretty much," linebacker and co-captain Dan Connor said. "You gotta be careful. You gotta keep your nose clean no matter what. It's tough but we're going to have to get over it as a team."

Austin Scott watched Penn State play the Hawkeyes with a few friends on Saturday, his mother said.

"I want the truth to come out, too," JoAnn Scott said, "Because once the truth comes out everybody will stop jumping to conclusions, and we'll get back to the business of football."