AUBURN, Ala. » The NCAA concluded that Cam Newton’s father broke rules by engaging in pay-for-play talks with another school last year. But it also decided the Auburn quarterback did not know about the scheme and is eligible to play when the No. 1 Tigers take on South Carolina in the SEC championship game Saturday.

The NCAA determined Monday that Cecil’s actions during his son’s recruitment to Mississippi State last fall constituted a violation of amateurism rules.

Auburn discreetly ruled Newton ineligible Tuesday, as required when a violation is found, but sought his immediate reinstatement, which was granted yesterday by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff with no additional penalty.

"In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs.

"Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement."

The NCAA release did not officially close the case on Newton, saying reinstatement decisions are independent of the enforcement process and typically are made after facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined.

Donald Jackson, a Montgomery-based attorney who specializes in cases regarding NCAA eligibility issues, said on Paul Finebaum’s radio show that he wouldn’t rule out the continuation of the enforcement investigation, but he said it isn’t likely.

"A lot of the facts and a lot of the issues that would be addressed in the enforcement staff investigation probably have already been addressed during the course of this investigation," he said.

Jackson said if the NCAA enforcement staff decides to levy sanctions against Auburn in the future, it "would essentially be acknowledging the fact that they failed to adequately investigate it the first time."

While not a definitive end to the saga, it at least temporarily eases concerns of Auburn fans that the Tigers’ national title hopes and Newton’s Heisman Trophy candidacy could be in jeopardy.

"We are pleased that the NCAA has agreed with our position that Cam Newton has been and continues to be eligible to play football at Auburn University," Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said. "We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the NCAA and its handling of this matter."