LSU OL suspended for game because of late hit after interception

Josh Boutte cheapshotted D’Cota Dixon after Dixon’s pick (Getty).

 

LSU guard Josh Boutte will miss Saturday’s game vs. Jacksonville State after his egregious late hit vs. Wisconsin.

After quarterback Brandon Harris threw an interception to Wisconsin’s D’Cota Dixon that ended LSU’s chances of a comeback, Boutte leveled Dixon after the play was over.

	Dr. Saturday @YahooDrSaturday
Just a brutal cheap shot here. pic.twitter.com/HVIUzsvGBL 3:58 PM - 3 Sep 2016

“Josh made a mistake and will serve a one-game suspension because of it,” LSU coach Les Miles said in a statement. “Even though this was done by mistake, a play like this does not belong in the game of football and therefore action must be taken.

“This play does not define Josh as a person and is not indicative of the type of player he is. We sincerely apologize for his mistake.”

USC defensive end Jabari Ruffin is suspended for the first half of the Trojans’ game vs. Utah State on Saturday after he stepped on Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick’s groin. USC coach Clay Helton said Ruffin will be writing an apology letter. Miles said Boutte has called Dixon to apologize.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Boutte won’t be sanctioned further by the conference.

“I have independently reviewed the play resulting in the ejection of Josh Boutte near the end of LSU’s game against Wisconsin on Saturday,” Sankey said in a statement. “The game officials correctly assessed a penalty and ejection for Mr. Boutte’s flagrant contact, which occurred well after the play had concluded. I have accepted the one-game suspension imposed by Les Miles and because LSU has taken appropriate action, have determined that no additional penalty shall be imposed by the conference office.”

Boutte entered the 2016 season as a starter on the LSU line after appearing in 33 games his first three seasons.