Former Rutgers student sues Rutgers, ex-football players after alleged sexual assault

Two former Rutgers football players and the University itself have been named in a civil suit filed by a former student who was allegedly sexually assaulted by the athletes in November 2015.

Former Scarlet Knights Marques Ford and John Bowers allegedly had sex with the woman while she was heavily intoxicated, NJ Advance Media reported.

The victim, identified as K.L. in court documents according to LawNewz, was in a relationship with Bowers at the time of the incident. She and Bowers were given alcohol by Ford at a party, and though she said she initially declined, she later found out she had taken eight shots of tequila.

K.L. does not remember the assault itself, as she apparently "blacked out," but Bowers told her about it the next morning.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the claim, NJ Advance Media reported.

K.L. said Rutgers Athletics tried to suppress the story by telling witnesses and Bowers to change their stories, LawNews reported. Because of the school’s involvement, she is holding Rutgers liable as well.

Both Ford and Bowers transferred out of Rutgers last year. Bowers is now attending the University of Rhode Island and Ford is committed to East Carolina University. K.L. is also attending a different, unspecified institution this year.

Calls to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office were not returned.

A spokesman for Rutgers Athletics and another for University Communications and Media Relations both said they do not comment on pending litigation in two separate emails.