The idle date Mississippi State will enjoy this week as a 4-0 team coming off an upset win over LSU just added quite a complication for MSU coach Dan Mullen: How to replace Dillon Day?
The SEC suspended Day for the Bulldogs' next game, against Texas A&M Oct. 4, for his actions during the team's 34-29 win over the Tigers. Online video circulated after the game depicting Day stepping on two LSU players, lineman Davon Godchaux and cornerback Rashard Robinson. That prompted LSU coach Les Miles to send a copy of the video to the SEC office, and Day issued a denial of anything intentional via Twitter Monday.
The SEC released the following statement Tuesday:
"Upon review of game video from the contest between LSU and Mississippi State on Sept. 20 in Baton Rouge, La., SEC Commissioner Mike Slive has announced that Mississippi State senior center Dillon Day is suspended for the Bulldog's next game, which is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Starkville. This action is the result of multiple flagrant and unsportsmanlike acts during the game, as well as previous disciplinary action for similar behavior. This action is taken in accordance with Southeastern Conference Constitution, Article 4.4.2 (d) which states that a student-athlete may be suspended if it is determined that the student-athlete has committed a flagrant or unsportsmanlike act."
Day is among the top centers in the SEC and a candidate for the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best player at the position. His blocking is critical not only to the inside rushing of running back Josh Robinson, who piled up 197 yards against LSU, but also the quarterback draws and inside runs by Dak Prescott.
That element of Mississippi State's offense will likely be crucial to its efforts to keep the fast-paced Texas A&M offense off the field when the Aggies visit MSU. Archie Muniz is Day's backup, although when he was needed briefly during the win over LSU, the Bulldogs center had difficulty with the shotgun snap. That also doesn't bode well for an offense that calls for Prescott to run the offense from the shotgun on a regular basis.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
