EL PASO, Texas (AP) -Texas-El Paso suspended a pair of sophomore football players who were charged with felonies related to a bar fight.

UTEP coach Mike Price, making his first public appearance since having an angioplasty about two weeks ago, suspended receiver Tufick Shadrawy and linebacker Brian Wilkins indefinitely on Monday pending the outcome of their criminal cases.

They were arrested on charges of assault on a public servant and interference with public duties.

Price said sophomore defensive back Damon Cromartie, linebacker Isaiah Carter and defensive back Brandon Thigpen have been placed on probation and are ``on very thin ice right now.'' Carter and Thigpen are both 17-year-old freshmen. The underage trio, arrested with Shadrawy and Wilkins, face misdemeanor charges.

``They are at bat with one strike and the ball hasn't even been thrown,'' Price said of the three.

Price also addressed his health Monday, saying he was feeling better than he had in a long time. He underwent the non-surgical procedure to implant a stent in one of the arteries in his heart July 12. He said a friend recommended he see a cardiologist after he complained of persistent heart burn.

``It was a 95 percent blockage,'' the 61-year-old Price said. ``I was in a very serious situation and didn't even realize it.''