The Big Ten publicly reprimanded and fined Maryland for its pregame actions against Penn State on Saturday.
Conference officials announced on Monday that wide receiver Stefon Diggs was to be suspended for one game (November 15 against Michigan State) and university fined $10,000 after violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy following a scuffle on the sidelines and a refusal to shake the Penn State captains’ hands.
Diggs was involved in the skirmish on the sidelines before the game began, during which, video evidence showed him making physical contact with a referee who was trying to break up the two teams. He was the only Maryland player singled out by the Big Ten.
“I sincerely apologize for my conduct prior to kickoff this weekend. I let my emotions get the best of me and did not properly represent myself as student-athlete and leader of the University of Maryland football team,” Diggs, who has 52 receptions for 654 yards and five touchdowns this year, said in a statement released by the team. “My behavior towards the officiating crew and the Penn State football team were unacceptable.”
The Big Ten fined Edsall after declaring that he was unable to control his team during the “confrontation” that broke out on the field prior to kickoff.
“I accept the penalties handed down by the Big Ten Conference and take full responsibility of our actions this past Saturday at Penn State,” Edsall said in a statement on Monday. “Our football program did not live up to the standards that we set for ourselves. Moving forward, we will use better judgment and remain composed so that we better represent the University of Maryland. We have learned from this experience and will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again.”
When the two teams met for the coin toss, the three Maryland captains, P.J. Gallo, Sean Davis, and Diggs, kept their arms by their sides when Penn State captains attempted to shake hands. Head coach Randy Edsall and Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson both later apologized for the team’s behavior.
Of the lack of handshake, the Big Ten said, “The decision by Maryland team captains to not shake hands with Penn State team captains during the pre-game coin toss ceremony was exceptionally regrettable. For many, many decades the intercollegiate pre-game handshake has been in place to reflect a spirit of good will and utmost appreciation for your opponent, the game and the institutions that sponsor your sport. Selection as a team captain is an honor that carries with it a greater responsibility to act in a manner consistent with those principles”
The lack of a handshake did not directly influence the punishment set forth by the Big Ten and was addressed separately in the statement.
The Terrapins’ next game is November 15 against Michigan State.
Photo credit: ESPN
