Senior tailback Dawan Moss has been reinstated on the MSU football team, according to junior linebacker Monquiz Wedlow.
MSU Sports Information Director John Lewandowski said at interim head coach Morris Watts discretion, Moss is now suspended indefinitely.
Wedlow, speaking at the Black Student Alliances town hall meeting Thursday night in the Union, said Watts made the decision at a team meeting Thursday, allowing Moss to rejoin the team.
Watts will make a public announcement today, Wedlow said.
Former head coach Bobby Williams dismissed Moss on Sunday afternoon after Moss was arrested Saturday night and charged with resisting and obstructing a police office, drunk driving and fleeing and eluding, a felony.
MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason fired Williams the next day.
Moss will not play Saturday at Indiana and will remain suspended until his situation is worked out, Wedlow said.
Wedlow said the original dismissal wasnt fair under NCAA rules. Athletes dont lose scholarships until theyve been convicted - not just charged - with a felony offense, he said.
Lewandowski said dismissals are made at the coachs discretion.
It just wasnt fair, Wedlow said. Now, his scholarship is still there and thats fair to everyone. Until hes actually charged and until the situation is over, he shouldnt be kicked off.
The alliances meeting addressed issues concerning the firing of Bobby Williams and coverage in The State News. Wedlow stood before the crowd that was overflowing out of the Heritage Cafe in the Union and said he wished the players could have taken the blame for the bad season, not Williams.
When Moss situation was mentioned, Wedlow rose and announced the tailback was returning to the team.
Freshman tailback David Richard is expected to start in Moss place. This season, Richard has rushed for 416 yards with two touchdowns on 94 carries. In nine games, Moss had 125 carries for 592 yards and four touchdowns.
