COLLEGE

49ers' Foster won't face trial on domestic violence

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A Santa Clara County judge has ruled that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster will not have to stand trial on domestic violence charges after the accuser recanted her allegations at a preliminary hearing.

Judge Nona Klippen said Wednesday that prosecutors didn’t meet the burden of probable cause on charges of felony domestic violence and forcefully attempting to dissuade a witness.

Foster also was charged with felony possession of an assault weapon after officers found a Sig Sauer 516 short-barreled rifle in his home while investigating his ex-girlfriend’s domestic violence report. That charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

The 49ers have not allowed Foster to take part in the offseason program while he dealt with these charges and general manager John Lynch said he would be cut from the team if it was determined that he hit a woman.

Elissa Ennis testified last week that she lied to the police when she accused Foster of attacking her in February. She said she wanted retribution after Foster tried to end their relationship, saying she was angry “and I wanted to end him.” She testified that Foster never hit her.

Foster was arrested after Ennis told police he dragged her by her hair, physically threw her out of their house, and punched her in the head eight to 10 times in February.

The 49ers drafted Foster 31st overall last year after questions about his health and character caused him to drop from being a possible top 10 pick.

Foster delivered on the field, ranking second on the team with 72 tackles in 10 games as a rookie and looking like a key part of San Francisco’s defensive future.

Alabama to face USC in 2020 opener

ARLINGTON, Texas — Alabama and Southern California will meet in Arlington, Texas to open the 2020 college football season.

The game announced Wednesday will be a rematch of the 2016 AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Crimson Tide won 52-7 in the programs’ eighth meeting but first in more than three decades.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said the matchup Sept. 5, 2020 will give fans “a bowl-like experience coming out of the gates.” Most of the games between the two traditional powers came in the 1970s when Alabama coach Bear Bryant and USC’s John McKay were friends. It will mark the Tide’s fourth appearance in the game. Alabama opens next season against Louisville in Orlando, Florida. The Tide plays Duke in Atlanta in 2019 and returns against the Miami Hurricanes two years later.