Purdue will be without starting left guard Zach Reckman for this weekend’s game against Notre Dame, the school announced in a press release.
Reckman was suspended for one game by the Big Ten for spearing a Northern Illinois player in the closing minutes of the Boilermakers loss this past weekend. The play drew an unsportsmanlike penalty, as well as the attention of the Big Ten.
According to the release, Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke initially contacted the Big Ten about the incident last Sunday and said that, after consulting with head coach Danny Hope, internal disciplinary action would be taken against Reckman. Because Reckman was not called for a flagrant foul, which would have resulted in an automatic one-game suspension, Hope intended not to play Reckman in the first quarter of this Saturday’s game.
Obviously, that wasn’t enough for the conference. And, needless to say, Hope didn’t necessarily agree with the severity of the punishment but will abide by the league’s decision.
“We talked with our guys before the game about maintaining their composure, and Zach made a mistake,” Hope said in a statement. “But I know Zach and firmly believe that he would not attempt anything of a malicious nature. Morgan and I agreed that a one-quarter suspension would be appropriate in this case, and that is what we presented to the Big Ten. They saw it differently, and we have to live with their decision.”
Reckman is the second player in as many weeks to be suspended by the Big Ten for a play on the field.
Last week, Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton was suspended for one game after he punched a Notre Dame offensive lineman.
