BTN.com staff, October 20, 2011

The Big Ten Conference announced today Michigan State's William Gholston is suspended for one game after he violated Big Ten rule by "striking or attempting to strike or otherwise physically abusing an official, opposing coach, spectator or athlete." The conference office also publicly reprimanded Gholston for his actions.

Specifically:

"The Big Ten determined that Gholston?s actions at the end of the third quarter of the Michigan contest violated Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01.1.A.1 – ?Striking or attempting to strike or otherwise physically abusing an official, opposing coach, spectator or athlete.? The conference office also publicly reprimanded Gholston for his actions."

Michigan State defensive end William Gholston landed a punch on Michigan lineman Taylor Lewan?s helmet during Saturday?s game in East Lansing. Earlier this week Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio defended his team's overall aggressive approach saying, "We're just playing the game as hard as we can play it." In a release today after the ruling, Michigan State Athletics Director Mark Hollis said the Spartans continue to stress good sportsmanship and added:

"It is critical that we strive to reduce and eliminate the sporadic incidents that detract from the game. In order to do that, we all must understand, be accountable and manage the environment to reduce these types of reactions."

Read more at MSUSpartans.com. Michigan State faces Wisconsin this Saturday in a battle of the Big Ten heavyweights.

You can hear Michigan State's Dantonio generally discuss the incident in his Tuesday teleconference with reporters via the audio link below.