MSU defensive end suspended for one game

The Big Ten on Thursday announced that Michigan State sophomore William Gholston, a starting defensive end, will miss Saturday's game against No. 4 Wisconsin while serving a one-game suspension for violating the league's conduct agreement. MSU will not appeal the ruling.

Gholston was given his second personal foul of the third quarter when he punched Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. Before the punch, Gholston was dragged to the ground by his facemask by Lewan.

The league determined that Gholston's actions during last week's 28-14 win over Michigan violated Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01.1.A.1: "Striking or attempting to strike or otherwise physically abusing an official, opposing coach, spectator or athlete."

The league office also publicly reprimanded Gholston.

"I deeply regret momentarily losing my composure late in the third quarter of last Saturday's game against Michigan," Gholston said in a statement issued by MSU. "Although provoked, my response was inappropriate. Coach [Mark] Dantonio regularly reminds us that actions have consequences, and I will be better prepared to handle these circumstances in the future."

A Michigan official reached by the Detroit Free Press on Thursday declined to comment on the notion that Gholston was provoked.

Gholston's first personal foul came when he went into a pile and twisted the facemask of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.

Fickell making $775KFour-and-a-half months after taking the job, Luke Fickell finally has a contract.

Ohio State is paying its interim head coach $775,000 for guiding the football program through a season of suspensions, NCAA investigations and looming penalties.

The contract, released by the university on Thursday, makes it very clear that Fickell is not guaranteed a job after the agreement ends Jan. 31, 2012.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, who did not immediately return a call requesting comment, has said that Fickell will be a candidate for the permanent job but that the school will do a nationwide search to find its next head coach. Rumors of potential candidates have been circulating ever since 10-year coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign.

Fickell's base salary is $400,000 and he is paid $200,000 for media obligations and $175,000 from Ohio State's agreement with Nike.