TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama tailback Santonio Beard, suspended for a DUI charge, will play in the Mainstay Independence Bowl but four of his teammates won't, including starting wide receiver Antonio Carter.

The four will miss the Dec. 27 game against Iowa State for failing to make satisfactory academic progress through the fall semester.

Along with Carter, those who will miss the bowl in Shreveport, La., are offensive tackle Dante Ellington, who started the first three games, reserve tackle Lannis Baxley and fullback Marvin Brown.

Coach Dennis Franchione said Thursday that Beard had completed the disciplinary requirements stemming from his Nov. 25 arrest on drunken driving charges.

"Santonio has done everything we have asked, and will play in our bowl game," Franchione said.

One of Alabama's top runners, Beard started one game, against Auburn, but was suspended for the regular season finale, against Southern Mississippi. Franchione hasn't made public what Beard had to do to play in the bowl.

The four players bumped from the bowl failed to pass a minimum number of hours each semester to be eligible for postseason play, as required by Alabama and the Southeastern Conference.

"We feel badly that those young men must miss this experience with their teammates, but this is a part of our accountability program," Franchione said. "These players understand accountability and feel bad about letting down themselves and their team."

Alabama will convene in Shreveport on Saturday to begin final preparations for the game.