I’m not a head coach, nor have I ever slept at a Holiday Inn Express, but I wouldn’t think this would be the optimal way to head into the start of a new season.
San Jose State’s Ron Caragher announced Friday that Jarrod Lawson has been suspended for the first two games of the Spartans’ 2014 season. As a result, the running back will miss a home game against North Dakota and a road trip to Jordan-Hare to face Auburn. He’ll be eligible to return, following a bye weekend, for the game at Minnesota Sept. 20.
Other than “unspecified violations of team rules,” no reason was given for the rather significant punitive measures.
“He’s a great kid,” the head coach said. “He’s all into the ramifications and will do whatever to help the team. We look forward to his return.”
Lawson was easily the Spartans’ leading rusher last season, with his 788 yards easily outpacing Thomas Tuckers’ 338. He’s also a threat out of the backfield, with 20 catches for another 223 yards in 2013.
The San Jose Mercury News does write, though, that Lawson “was expected to begin the year as a co-starter at running back along with... Thomas.”