CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina has suspended running back Romar Morris, a former Salisbury High player, for its upcoming game against Pittsburgh. The suspension follows Morris’ DWI arrest early Sunday morning for driving while impaired.

A statement from the school said the suspension is for the violation of team rules.

“We hold our players accountable for their actions and when a player makes a poor decision, he must face the consequences,” head coach Larry Fedora said in a prepared statement. “I’m hopeful Romar will learn from his mistake and make better decisions in the future.”

The Tar Heels are on a bye this week. They play the Panthers on Nov. 15.

Morris was stopped by Chapel Hill police around 4 a.m. Sunday for the failure to maintain his lane and then arrested, according to media reports. His written promise to appear in court led to his release from police custody to a sober person. Morris is scheduled to be in court Nov. 13.   

The junior running back has run the ball 44 times for 162 yards and scored four touchdowns this year. He also has 17 catches for 146 yards.

Morris was a senior at Salisbury High when the Hornets won the 2010 N.C. High School Athletic Association 2AA state championship. He was named the MVP of the championship game after running for 97 yards and a touchdown in the Hornets’ 30-0 victory over Elizabeth City Northeastern.

In his senior season, he ran for 1,780 yards and 30 touchdowns. His 258 yards receiving pushed him over the 2,000-yard mark for total yards on offense.

As a junior, Morris had more than 1,500 yards on offense and had 21 rushing and receiving scores.

He also claimed NCHSAA titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 2009 and 2010.