Last week it was Youngstown State doling out a handful of suspensions prior to their upset of Eastern Washington. This week, it’s YSU’s opponent in the most important game of the season for both teams handing out suspensions like candy.
The Harrisonburg Daily News-Record is reporting that seven JMU football players have been suspended ahead of Saturday’s FCS championship game matchup with YSU. None of the names of the players were released, and no reason for the suspensions were given.
However, the Daily News-Record is reporting that wide receiver Terrence Alls and linebacker Brandon Hereford did not play in the upset of five-time defending FCS champion North Dakota State Friday and remain indefinitely suspended. Alls is the Dukes’ second-leading receiver while Hereford was the team’s leading tackler prior to the playoff semifinal win. His 7.5 tackles for loss are still tied for tops on the team.
In a statement, head coach Mike Houston confirmed that a “few” of his players have been indefinitely suspended.
“We have very high expectations in terms of standards of conduct for our student-athletes and our football program who represent James Madison University. Unfortunately, we have a few student-athletes who have not met those standards and we will hold them accountable. They did not compete against North Dakota State and have been suspended indefinitely.”
As JMU looks for just its second-ever FCS title, none of the players involved in the punitive measures will play this weekend. It’s also believed the suspended YSU players will remain that way for the title game as well.