Michigan State Spartans reinstate Chris L. Rucker
Sitting at No. 18 in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), Iowa (5-2) will have to alter their game plan around the return of Michigan State’s stellar defensive back Chris L. Rucker when the No. five Spartans (8-0) travel to Iowa City this Saturday, 30 October,
for one of the weekend’s most anticipated match-ups.
According to Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, Rucker, who was reinstated Thursday, 28 October (after having served eight days in jail for a drunk-driving arrest) opted to travel with the team. A senior leader on the squad, Rucker started 11 games last
year, as well as the first six Spartan contests this season.
After being arrested on 10 October in East Lansing, Rucker pled guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving.
Unfortunately, this incident has not been the senior’s first run in with the law since arriving at Michigan State. Less than a year ago, Rucker was sentenced to 12 months probation and 150 hours of community service for his involvement in an on-campus altercation.
"The poor decision he made had need for serious consequences, which he has now met and resolved from a team and legal perspective," Coach Dantonio said in regards to Rucker’s most recent of the field issues. "It does not, however, rise to a lifetime banishment."
Despite being indefinitely suspended and sitting out the past two games for the Spartans (wins over Illinois and Northwestern), Rucker still ranks third on the team with 24 solo tackles, while assisting on 16 more stops.
For now, it seems as though Rucker laments his actions, and hopes to move forward.
"When you make mistakes, you've got to be ready to pay the consequences," the defensive back said. "I know it's going to be a rough road with that, but I'm looking forward to us cleaning up our image."
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