Peter Warrick high-fives teammate Jeff Chaney after a first-quarter TD.

"I want to apologize to my family, friends, team, coaches and most of all my fans," Warrick said. "I'm just trying to learn from my mistakes and move on."

After the game, as he was being escorted past reporters, Warrick said his teammates proved they were the nation's best team.

"They stepped up tonight," he said. "They did what I wanted them to do."

Warrick, considered one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy, teammate Laveranues Coles, 21, and 19-year-old Dillard's department store clerk Rachel Myrtil were charged with grand theft Thursday. The clerk was accused of selling the two players $412.38 worth of clothing for only $21.40.

Coles, who had begun the season on probation for earlier violations of team rules, was kicked off the team and Warrick was suspended indefinitely.

Warrick, who was on the sideline with his teammates during the game, also spoke to them in the locker room before they took the field.

"I told them to keep their heads up," Warrick said. "Don't put all the focus on me, put all of it on the game. It's not about the Peter Warrick show -- it's a team thing."

Warrick hopes he'll be reinstated to the team once his legal case is handled.

"I would love to come back," he said. "It's real tough for me to sit out to watch this game. I'm just trying to overcome obstacles - the further I get in life, the harder it's going to be."

Warrick is set for a first court appearance Monday.

His attorney, John Kenny, said neither he nor his client would be there because he has filed a written notice of appearance. Normally, it then would be at least six weeks before a trial date.

"In this case, Peter cannot afford to take too long," Kenny said. "He has more interest in saying, `Let's get it done."'