5 Gophers football players now have restraining orders

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Five University of Minnesota football players have now been served restraining orders that will keep them from playing in home games at TCF Bank Stadium, including Saturday’s homecoming game against Rutgers.

Ray Buford, KiAnte Hardin and Dior Johnson were served with temporary restraining orders on Friday, attorney Lee Hutton confirmed. Gophers teammates Carlton Djam and Tamarion Johnson were also served restraining orders earlier this week. The orders have been amended to allow the student-athletes to remain in their campus area apartments and attend classes, but access to TCF Bank Stadium remains blocked.

Buford, Hardin Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson were each suspended earlier this season while Minneapolis police investigated an alleged Sept. 2 incident. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against the players, citing "insufficient, admissible evidence," and they were subsequently reinstated to the team.

The restraining order includes TCF Bank Stadium because the alleged victim is part of the Gophers home football game operations.

The restraining orders take effect immediately, but a hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. Hutton hopes to have all 5 of his clients in court for that hearing to contest the restraining orders.