Image courtesy of Suzie T

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A North Carolina State running back who was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge this summer will sit out the Wolfpack’s first game.

Coach Dave Doeren said after practice Wednesday that Shadrach Thornton will not play against Louisiana Tech on Aug. 31.

Thornton is due in court Aug. 22 after he was arrested on June 6 by Wake County sheriff’s deputies on a charge of assault on a female.

Doeren says Thornton “made a mistake putting himself in that position, and we handled it.”

The coach says Thornton was suspended from the team during the summer and couldn’t participate in non-academic-related team activities. He has since returned to practice.

Thornton had a team-best 694 yards rushing in 2012 even though he didn’t play in the first three games.