MSU junior quarterback Josh Riddell has been suspended indefinitely from the team by Bulldogs head coach Sylvester Croom, following an early Sunday morning arrest for driving under the influence.According to Starkville Police records, Riddell, 21, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. on U.S. Highway 182, slightly north of the MSU campus. His blood alcohol content was measured at 0.14 while the legal limit is .08.
Riddell was also cited with a seatbelt violation, according to a copy of the ticket he was issued.
He was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe with Alabama license plates when he was pulled over.
Riddell, a transfer from Foothill College in California majoring in educational psychology, is originally from Kazier, Ore.
He committed to MSU in December 2006 and immediately joined the team to participate in spring practices.
Riddell becomes the 11th MSU football player to be arrested since April 2006.
Both Croom and Starkville Police Chief David Lindley have declined comment on the details of Riddell’s arrest.
“This is always difficult,” Croom said, in reference to the arrest. “It wasn’t an easy thing for me to do.”
Riddell will continue to practice as he serves his suspension, the length of which has not yet been confirmed.
“If I didn’t let him practice, he wouldn’t exactly be serving the suspension,” Croom said.
Riddell’s suspension makes true freshman Wesley Carroll the backup to starting quarterback Michael Henig.
Despite his lack of SEC experience, Croom said that he is confident in Carroll’s abilities, should he have to step in to Thursday’s season-opener against Louisiana State.
“I know Wes (Carroll) will accept the challenge,” Croom said. “He’ll do whatever it takes to be ready.”
Carroll said that he realizes the challenge he has been dealt in the aftermath of Riddell’s suspension but that he has no problem backing up Henig.
“It puts added pressure on my shoulders now that I’m the very next guy,” Carroll said. “I still have to prepare the same though. I’ll continue to learn and to grow and mature in this offense. I have no problem running most of these plays, if the need arises.