Georgia Tech kicks running back Dedrick Mills off team

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech star Dedrick Mills was kicked off the team Friday, having violated athletic department rules in what was essentially a third strike for the dynamic but troubled running back.

The stunning announcement came with the season opener against Tennessee less than three weeks away.

Coach Paul Johnson did not specify what rule was broken, but stressed that it was different than two suspensions Mills served a year ago — totaling three games — for violating team rules.

"Last year he got suspended for a couple of football violations, football team rules," Johnson said. "This was a GTAA (Georgia Tech Athletic Association) rule. So it's set rules. When you break 'em, the punishment is pretty standard.