Max suspended for Rose Bowl

[gotime909]

Not sure what he did, just that he "violated team rules".

http://espn.go.com/college-football...higan-state-spartans-suspended-miss-rose-bowl

 

[Sbee]

Just saw this, beyond stunned, he's the last guy I'd expect to lose and the guy we can least afford to lose. We're fucked

 

[Spartanmack]

ouch.

 

[gotime909]

I'm guessing Elsworth will get the start or maybe Harris.

Gotta believe this is something far worse than being late for a meeting or whatnot. You'd think if it was an arrest type thing that we'd have heard something by now. Really too bad for the kid, whatever it was.

 

[johnny2x2x]

He didn't even travel with the team to Pasadena. That's got to be devastating for Max. Elsworth will get the start, Harris will get some reps, and I'm hearing Riley Bullough was going to get some reps at MLB in the Rose Bowl regardless.

Wild speculation here, would have been out there if he had been arrested. If it was most any team rule he would have still traveled with the team. Maybe an NCAA rule he violated IMO, those are the types of rules you violate where he wouldn't be able to make a trip with the team. If I had to guess, I'd say he maybe sold some of his Rose Bowl gear to some ex Spartans. Haven't heard anything yet.

What a shame for Max and the Bullough family, the kid is an academic All-American with a degree coming up in Finance. He's worked harder than anyone to get here and now he blew his chance to play in the Rose Bowl.

Hurts the team, but there is so much good leadership on this team I wouldn't expect us to miss his leadership. His playmaking will also be replaced, what is hard to replace is his mind in reading the offense and getting our front 7 into the right defense for the offense. Drummond makes the calls for the secondary, but Bullough for the front 7. I guarantee there's a play or two during the game where we get burnt because of it.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

Why is Ellsworth getting the start and not Ed Davis? He's a beast!!!

 

[Spartan23MSU]

Aside from taking a dump out of the window of the hotel what constitutes a suspension from this game??? wow...

 

[gotime909]

Why is Ellsworth getting the start and not Ed Davis? He's a beast!!!

Davis has ZERO reps there. They are talking about him possibly playing there next year though. Never know though, maybe he gets some time there this game.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Why is Ellsworth getting the start and not Ed Davis? He's a beast!!!

They play a different position. Ellsworth is the backup Mike LB, Davis is the backup Will LB. Darien Harris also gets snaps at the Mike.

This will hurt our team because Max was such a good run stuffer, but at least it was at our deepest position on the team. We play 6 or 7 LBers extensively every game. Ellsworth has been a good play maker for us, especially against the run, but I just don't think he'll be as effective up the middle against the run as Max was. So much leadership on this team though, have to think we play inspired ball on the defensive side with or without Max.

This defense is built primarily on depth, that's the key to everything Narduzzi wants to do. The participation report from the BCG was lopsided, MSU played 52 players against OSU, OSU only played 33. We rotate 6 or 7 LBs, 9 or 10 D linemen, and 7 DBs all game long, even Dennard gets to rest every now and then. On offense we had 3 backup O linemen in for the final Langford TD run.

Shit happens, Max blew it, it's a shame he did for being such a smart kid and a great leader. It's something he'll have to live with for the rest of his life. It's a big loss, but it's the next man up at MSU on defense right now, there are guys waiting to make plays and I would be surprised if Ellsworth doesn't have a great game in the Rose Bowl, he's also been a great leader and play maker his whole career.

 

[Johnny68]

I'm guessing he had illegal contact with an agent.

 

[Sbee]

I'm guessing he had illegal contact with an agent.

Family has money, I'd be surprised. If I had to speculate I'd say failed drug test

 

[jwlcosu]

Amazing disappointment for all parties. MSU is on such a roll and Max has been a contributor throughout. Suspended for his last game. Family history. Crazy. Whatever the reason, you have to give Dantonio immense credit for making the tough decision.

 

[Johnny68]

Family has money, I'd be surprised. If I had to speculate I'd say failed drug test

He's a senior that's months away from the NFL draft, his contact with an agent wouldn't be to take a handout, but to start discussing his future.

 

[SpartyNash]

Extremely disappointed as well, not shocked but definitely surprised to say the least. I really hope we find out what the hell he did, like you all said he must have really screwed up to get booted for this game.

 

[Spartanmack]

Still no word on the violation? Given the timing I'm guessing maybe he got busted cheating on a final or something like that. Doubtful he got arrested for anything because that would have been made public almost right away - certainly by now.

 

[Michchamp]

has MD said whether he will discuss the suspension at some future time?

 

[Sbee]

Take this fwiw but I've heard from sources close to the bullough family that it was pot. This is supposedly the 2nd time he was caught. The first wasn't public but he was told he'd be suspended for a second test. I also heard that his gf only likes to have sex while high. This may or may not be true but its a good source, lets see what comes out. He will have to come clean to nfl scouts.

I'd be relieved if it was this, disappointed but a college kid smoking pot isn't something that would tarnish the season. Ped's would