LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Thunder Collins had his eligibility restored by an NCAA committee Tuesday and could play Saturday against McNeese State.

Collins, a senior from Los Angeles, was suspended for the last four games for failing to comply with NCAA regulations. He last played in Nebraska's season opener on Aug. 24, a 48-10 victory over Arizona State.

Athletic department officials have refused to say why Collins served a four-game suspension, only that it did not involve misuse of players' tickets to Nebraska games.

Collins was not listed on Nebraska's weekly depth chart on Tuesday as coaches were waiting to hear if his eligibility had been restored by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement staff.

"We're pleased Thunder has been reinstated,'' coach Frank Solich said. "I talked to Thunder tonight after we received word from the NCAA, and he is excited about getting the change to return to the field.''

Sports information director Chris Anderson said she assumed Collins would play Saturday, but said there was no immediate word on where he would be on the depth chart.

Before Collins got his eligibility back Tuesday, Solich shuffled the lineup, moving freshman I-back David Horne from the bottom to No. 2 running back behind Dahrran Diedrick.

Collins had started the season as co-No. 1 I-back with Diedrick, but has been practicing with the second offensive unit for the last three weeks of his suspension.

Nebraska athletic officials sent a report from an internal investigation of infractions allegations against Collins to the NCAA on Sept. 12.

Solich announced the suspension on Sept 4. Collins was initially suspended for the Troy State game on Aug. 31. He then sat out the Utah State game on Sept. 7 in Lincoln, and did not travel with the team to Penn State on Sept. 14, or Iowa State two weeks later.

The loss to Iowa State knocked Nebraska (3-2) out of the AP's Top 25 for the first time since 1981.