The number of football athletes involved in the academic fraud investigation was dropped from 15 to 12 players on Tuesday. Michael Delaune, director of university relations, said the decision came from the NCAA. He declined to release the names of the football players who received their eligibility that were originally a part of the investigation. Delaune said the University will not release the names of the 12 football players that are still being investigated. With the NCAA still investigating, Delaune said he does not know when the final ruling will be made.”I expected it before the last game, so yes I think it will be sooner than later but I’ve been wrong in the past,” Delaune said. “I believe it will be soon, but I don’t know if it will be this week.”The Colonels are scheduled to play Western Carolina on the road Saturday in Cullowhee, N.C.