Penn State will be without starting defensive tackle Antonio Shelton when the team travels to Minnesota.
Coach James Franklin announced Tuesday that Shelton has been suspended one game after he appeared to spit at Michigan State offensive lineman Matt Allen during the fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions' 28-7 victory Saturday. Shelton received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and was ejected.
“(Regarding) the activities with Antonio Shelton in the fourth quarter, he’s been suspended’’ Franklin said (per lancasteronline.com). “We’ll move on from there.’’
Sophomore PJ Mustipher and senior Robert Windsor are expected to have a bigger workload in Shelton's absence, Franklin said.
Antonio Shelton has been suspended for one game following his actions during the fourth quarter of the Michigan State game. pic.twitter.com/v0OH3L2NTk
— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 29, 2019
The Big Ten released a statement, supporting Shelton's one-game suspension.
"The Big Ten Conference office announced today that it publicly reprimands Penn State football player Antonio Shelton for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy during a game against Michigan State on Oct. 26," a press release said, in part. "The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment."
Shelton issued an apology Saturday after the game, writing on Twitter: "That was extremely selfish behavior. I misrepresented my coach, my school and my team. That’s not who we are and that’s not who I am. I represent more than myself, this won’t happen again."
I would like to apologize for my actions during tonight’s game. That was extremely selfish behavior. I misrepresented my coach, my school and my team. That’s not who we are and that’s not who I am. I represent more than myself, this won’t happen again.
— Antonio Shelton (@_groovy55) October 27, 2019
Franklin said Saturday he was "not happy" with Shelton's actions.
"It was an emotional game. I'm not going to get into the details with you guys during the whole game," Franklin said after the game (per 247Sports). "I'm not going to make excuses. We're going to own it. That's not who we are. And that's not who we will be. And it was addressed today, and it will be addressed on Sunday after we watch the tape in our team meeting."
No. 5 Penn State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) is off this week before facing No. 13 Minnesota (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) Nov. 9 at TCF Bank Stadium.