UNLV head coach Gary Campo and freshman middie Eric Jones have both been suspended until the end of the 2011 season, and the Runnin’ Rebels MCLA Division I team has been placed on probation for the remainder of this season, the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference announced Thursday.

The suspensions and probation come as a result of altercations in back-to-back UNLV games over the weekend, both involving Jones.

Jones was ejected from Friday night’s game against Utah for participating in a fight. An ejection carries with it an automatic one-game suspension, however, Jones played the next day against Arizona and was once again ejected.

“The Executive Board and League Directors would like to point out that they understand lacrosse is a physical sport,” reads a Southwestern Lacrosse Conference news release. “However, all its participants are always expected to honor and play by the rules that govern our sport.

“There is a certain standard of respect and sportsmanship that is always expected to be demonstrated by all participants. We take these incidences very seriously, particularly the playing of an ineligible player.”

Campo said Thursday that playing Jones in Saturday’s game against Arizona was an honest mistake, and he believes the sanctions handed down by the league are draconian.

“It wasn’t like we were trying to cheat anybody,” Campo said. “I just made a mistake. I didn’t know the rule.”

Campo said that officials in Saturday’s game realized Jones was playing after the first goal was scored, and they allowed him to continue. Campo said he will appeal the ruling and has hired an attorney to fight the suspension.

Campo added that he believes he is being unfairly targeted.

“I don’t know if this is punishment because we’re getting better,” Campo said. “It’s definitely overkill. This is unjust, obviously.”

UNLV has improved dramatically under Campo, who took over prior to last season. The Runnin’ Rebels are 4-5 this year and have been far more competitive than in the past.

In Campo’s absence, assistant coach Darren Gagnon will take over as game-day head coach, Campo said. Gagnon coached the team in the early part of the season when Campo and Jones were each serving four-game suspensions as a result of an incident during a fall-ball tournament. Campo was also serving a two-year probation, according to the SLC news release.

Should UNLV qualify for the postseason, it will be permitted to participate. It is deemed to be on “administrative probation,” the league said.

SLC President Matt Holman declined comment.