North Carolina has declared six football players ineligible for Saturday’s season-opening against No. 21 Louisana State for breaking school and/or NCAA rules and is withholding at least six others while the investigation continues, the university announced this morning.

UNC is still waiting to establish the eligibility of three other players.

In all, 15 Tar Heels players did not travel to Atlanta with the team this morning for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game.

CHAPEL HILL – (UPDATED)  The NCAA’s investigation into North Carolina’s football program – which began with a probe into possible improper contact between players and agents – has expanded into academics, UNC chancellor Holden Thorp said tonight.

Flanked by Tar Heels football coach Butch Davis and athletic director Dick Baddour, Thorp said that during a joint investigation with the NCAA, the school learned of possible academic misconduct that involves a former undergraduate tutor and student-athletes on the football team.