LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – University of Louisville sophomore defensive back Tayon Holloway was arrested Sunday on charges of felony strangulation and misdemeanor domestic assault, according to court records.

Holloway, 20, allegedly attacked a woman when she tried to stop him from smoking marijuana at about 9 p.m. Sunday night, according to a police report.

Police claim Holloway threw the woman off the bed and struck her in the face with his fists. When she tried to fight back, Holloway allegedly put a pillow over her face, smothering her for about 10 seconds before attempting to throw her out of the room, according to police.

Police were dispatched to a call for service to an apartment on Shelburne Circle around 9 p.m. on a 911 hang up at the home. All parties inside of the apartment were initially uncooperative with the officers, according to police.

The alleged victim had a laceration to her upper lip and puffy eyes, according to police. 

The football team arrived back in Louisville from a game against Stanford about 8 p.m. Sunday night. 

Holloway pleaded not guilty in Jefferson Circuit Court on Monday and his bond was set at $10,000. The bond has been posted, according to court records.

If Holloway pays his bond, he is not allowed to have any comment with the alleged victim. 

The University of Louisville released in a statement Monday saying the university "is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway. As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities."

Holloway is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 26.

Attorney Lonita Baker, who is representing Holloway, did not immediately return a request for comment. 

Holloway, a redshirt sophomore who was a four-star high school prospect out of Virginia Beach, Va., played two seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Louisville.

He has become a standout defensive back and special teams performer for Louisville this season. He blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown against Georgia Tech, and had collected his first career sack in a loss to Stanford on Saturday.

It was another play against Stanford, when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for a sideline shove, that got more attention. That 15-yard penalty moved Stanford closer to field goal position, and an offsides call on a teammate the very next snap left the Cardinal with a 52-yard field goal attempt, which it made to win the game.

Holloway started three games at cornerback while Quincy Riley was out with an injury. He has played in all 10 Louisville games and is third on the team with six pass break-ups on the season.

This story will be updated. 

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