Big Ten Suspends Jonas Mouton

The Big Ten has announced that Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton will be suspended one game for punching Notre Dame center Eric Olsen on Saturday, taking a stand and disciplining one of its players after Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez failed to do so.

The punch took place during the second quarter of Michigan's victory over Notre Dame on Saturday, and was largely overlooked at the time. The officials didn't throw a flag, and the TV announcers didn't mention it. But on Sunday Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis complained that unspecified Michigan players threw punches on the field, and during the week reporters asked Rodriguez about Mouton's punch.

Surprisingly, Rodriguez claimed that he watched the tape and didn't see a punch, even though it's right there for all to see. But the Big Ten did see the punch, and on Friday conference released the following statement:

The Big Ten Conference office announced that it will impose a one-game suspension on University of Michigan football student-athlete Jonas Mouton for violating the Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement during Michigan's game against Notre Dame on Sept. 12, 2009.

Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany has suspended Mouton for one game for striking an opposing student-athlete. In accordance with penalties established in Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01.1.A.1, the conference office also publicly reprimands Mouton for his actions. The University of Michigan has accepted the suspension.

"The actions of Jonas Mouton during the Notre Dame game are unacceptable," Commissioner Delany said. "Mouton's behavior has no place in the sport of football or the Big Ten Conference."

The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.

Mouton, a junior from Los Angeles, is a starting linebacker and one of Michigan's top defensive players.

Do you think Mouton deserved to be suspended? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

9-18-2009 @ 4:55PM

Lisa said...

Good for them! It happened for all to see. It should have been called. I'm glad they acknowledged it, at least.

9-18-2009 @ 6:33PM

runnerstevevu said...

Just because a sin is public does not mean that the punishment has to be public.

For all you know, he could have been running stadium stairs. RR could have chosen to punish Mouton that way and denied that the punch happened because he wanted to move forward from the incident. Note that RR said earlier this week, "No further action will be necessary," which implies that some action was taken.

9-19-2009 @ 1:50AM

Jason V said...

Reading the comments, shows how many people continue to lower their expectations for standards of behavior in sports. Now it is acceptable to take a cheap shot? We should make allowances for that because it is a violent sport? HELLO! This is STILL football - not free-style cage fighting! They still penalize for chop blocks. I should think that should go for blind-sided upper cuts too. They don't practice that in training camp and it was not in the play book. Only idiots accept the dumbing down of our sports by condoning acts of violence by thugs degrading the sport. That is not sports, folks! It is something else altogether.

9-18-2009 @ 5:36PM

cdbplc said...

I guess that because Notre Dame football isn't in a league, there was no Commissioner to suspend any of these guys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z8M13hlLu8

9-18-2009 @ 5:43PM

janandrick84 said...

Too bad it took the Big 10 and not Michigan to stand up for this. Michigan sure has fallen from the institution it used to be. Good that Bo isn't here to see this. Sad,Sad, Sad

9-18-2009 @ 7:49PM

wlincoln said...

I agree!

9-18-2009 @ 5:44PM

Robert Brewer said...

I am a Michigan Fan, he should have got two game out. That was a cheat shot.

kfogs1957 said...

The Big Ten did the right thing, and made Michigan look bad by doing what Rodriguez and the AD didn't have the guts to do. Rodriguez is an easy guy to dislike, and I am a Big Ten Fan. He's taking down a proud program , the man is not long for that job. Remember the saying where there is smoke, there is fire. Look at the crap since he's been there. Brad Biliema should be thanking Rodriguez, because he is taking all the attention away from his lousy coaching.

9-18-2009 @ 5:54PM

Mark said...

Jonas was just keeping it real. He be representin' the "Screet".

9-18-2009 @ 6:09PM

rhous67512 said...

Just another thug doing what they do when they get beat.

9-18-2009 @ 6:26PM

Santino said...

Ummmm.... they DIDNT get beat

9-19-2009 @ 3:33PM

wallydawg68 said...

boldbigman----Shut the f*ck up, you racist a$$hole

9-18-2009 @ 6:21PM

crasheed said...

This is Football. Yes that was a cheap shot in a violent sport during the play. What did the Notre Dame player do to make him react this way? This is not tennis.

9-19-2009 @ 11:44AM

shiloh821 said...

Aparently no one cares!

9-18-2009 @ 6:24PM

Ted said...

1 Game! He should be suspended for several games. The thug sucker punched him with a upper cut to the chin.

9-19-2009 @ 1:29PM

boldbigman said...

Ted what is a THUG?

9-19-2009 @ 2:41PM

lthousega said...

a THUG is a michigan player who sucker punches a notre dame player and gets suspended for one game

9-18-2009 @ 6:22PM

Customize said...

obviously the whole event was racially motivated - it had to be - everything else is now a days

9-18-2009 @ 7:27PM

Adam said...

I saw that punch the line man took it on the chin and continued to the huddle without saying a word. I was wondering if it was acually a punch or not.