Terps wide receiver Stefon Diggs prepares to carry the ball down the field after the kickoff during Maryland’s 20-19 victory against Penn State on Nov. 1, 2014
As a result of his actions in a skirmish before Saturday’s victory over Penn State, Terrapins football wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been suspended one game for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy, the conference announced Monday. He will be unavailable for the Terps’ bout with No. 8 Michigan State on Nov. 15 at Byrd Stadium.
In addition, the Big Ten issued a public reprimand of coach Randy Edsall and fined this university $10,000. The conference determined Edsall “failed to control his team” when Terps players initiated a shoving match with Nittany Lions players as they ran onto the field during pregame introductions.
“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. “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.”
In video of the confrontation, Diggs’ arm can be seen making contact with an official’s head.
Minutes later, he was one of the three Terps captains — along with tight end P.J. Gallo and safety Sean Davis — to refuse to shake the hands of the Penn State captains before the coin toss.
The conference said the decision to not shake hands was “exceptionally regrettable.”
Diggs leads the Terps with 52 catches and 654 receiving yards this season.
“I sincerely apologize for my conduct prior to kickoff this weekend,” Diggs said in a statement. “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. My behavior towards the officiating crew and the Penn State football team [was] unacceptable. I take accountability for my actions and will do everything I can to support my teammates in preparation for our next game against Michigan State.”
