Purdue player suspended

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The Big Ten Conference office announced on its Web site that it will impose a one-game suspension on Purdue guard Zach Reckman for violating the Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement during Purdue’s game against Northern Illinois last Saturday.

The Big Ten determined that Reckman’s actions – a late hit on NIU defensive end Sean Progar after the final play that drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty  – at the end of the Northern Illinois contest 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 conference office also publicly reprimanded Reckman for his actions.

“We appreciate Purdue’s and head coach Danny Hope’s attention to this issue and feel a one-game suspension is appropriate,” commissioner James E. Delany said in a news release. “The behavior of Zach Reckman at the end of the Northern Illinois game is unacceptable and could have triggered a larger incident.”

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

Progar said after Tuesday's practice, before the suspension was announced, that he wasn't making a big deal over the late hit.

"Of course I wanted to take it back because I saw that green [grass] but I just made a decision," Progar said. "We got the win so I just went down. I didn't even notice that guy hit me afterwards either until I watched the film the other day. I didn't even notice. I thought it was one of my own players jumping on me."

Asked if he thought it was a cheap hit, Progar said, "No. I mean, it was but I don't really care."