Three suspended Ohio State football players, expecting to be reinstated in time for this week’s game at Nebraska, will instead miss the key Big Ten contest after the university extended their suspensions on Monday for additional NCAA infractions.

Daniel Herron, the Buckeyes’ leading rusher last season, top returning receiver DeVier Posey and offensive lineman Marcus Hall have already missed the first five games this season for their roles in the memorabilia-sales scandal that led to the dismissal of coach Jim Tressel. The trio has now been suspended for this week’s game against the Cornhuskers after being paid by a prominent Ohio State booster for work they had not actually done. Posey also faces an additional charge of accepting a free round of golf valued at $102.

Ohio State has notified the booster, Cleveland businessman Bobby DiGernomio, that he has been disassociated from Buckeye athletics and is to have no more involvement with the school's athletic department, players or coaches.

DeGernomio reportedly hired five players, including the three suspended Monday, to wash cars and pick up scrap metal for his construction company, but the players received more payment than their reported hourly wage and work hours would have earned. DiGernomio also reportedly provided three Buckeye players with $200 in “gas money” to attend a fundraiser for his family’s charity.

This is the latest in a string of run-ins the Buckeyes, who self-reported these new violations, have had with NCAA investigators in recent months. But Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says he does not expect harsh punishment from the NCAA in light of these new violations.

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