Rose Bowl: Michigan State moving on without suspended Max Bullough

Michigan State is moving on without suspended senior linebacker Max Bullough.

Michigan State announced announced late Wednesday night that Bullough, a team captain, had been suspended for the Rose Bowl for violating unspecified team rules.

On Thursday, during a news conference at Disneyland, Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio sounded unfazed by the loss of a linebacker who made 76 tackles, including 9 1/2 for loss, this season.

“We’re going to do what we do,” Dantonio said. “That’s who we are. Nothing’s changing.”

Senior Kyler Elsworth, sophomore Darien Harris and sophomore Ed Davis could help fill Bullough’s spot.

“One thing about our linebacker position, it is one of the strengths of our football team,” Dantonio said.

In Bullough’s absence, defensive tackle Tyler Hoover said he would “step up” his communication with players around him.

“If one man goes down,” he said, “we’re all going to help each other and make things happen.”

Stanford Coach David Shaw does not expect a letdown from the Spartans.

“They believe in their system and they play the system to a T,” he said. “They’re one of the most well-coached defenses that we’ve seen in years, so they’re not going to miss a beat.”

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