Each of the past two weeks the SEC has suspended a defensive player for a “flagrant and dangerous act,” with the possibility still existing the conference could go back-to-back-to-back in that department Tuesday.
Monday, though, the league that’s given the SEC non-conference fits in 2012 has decided to lay down its own suspension hammer.
The Sun Belt Conference announced that Western Kentucky safety Jonathan Dowling has been given a one-game suspension following a hit in the Hilltoppers’ win over Southern Miss Saturday. Dowling went helmet-to-helmet on the hit to the receiver, leading to both an ejection for the game and the suspension for the upcoming SBC game against Arkansas State.
WKU is appealing the ruling from the conference, and should have a decision on the appeal at some point in the afternoon.
If upheld, the suspension would be a significant blow to the Hilltoppers’ secondary as Dowling is currently tied with two other players for the FBS lead in interceptions with four.