Rutgers football’s Leonte Carroo charged with assault

Rutgers University Police say football team co-captain Leonte Carroo has  been arrested and charged with "simple assault under domestic violence" following an incident that took place outside the school's training facility after the team's loss to Washington.

RUPD chief Kenneth Cop said in an emailed statement that the incident took place outside the Hale Center located on the Piscataway campus, but offered no additional details.

At his weekly press conference, Coach Kyle Flood anticipated that Caroo would remain suspended for this Saturday's game against Penn State in Happy Valley but would not answer any questions specifically about Carroo.

Flood said he made the decision to suspend Carroo after what Flood called a "private conversation" he would not share with reporters.

Carroo’s suspension is just the latest development in a scandal-plagued season for the Scarlett Knights.

Five players have been kicked off the team entirely, after being arrested in connection with a series of violent crimes. Ex-players were implicated in some of the same incidents — an attack that left a student with a broken jaw, and a series of armed home invasions in which authorities say drugs and cash were stolen.

And authorities are investigating whether flood had previously contacted a professor inappropriately about one of those now-booted players’ grades, in violation of school and athletic conference rules.

Flood said the recent dismissals and suspensions "all hurt a lot" but sid that after working for 22 years with young people he expects mistakes in conduct.

"It's no different than raising your own children. Knowing that there are going to be mistakes made doesn't make you feel any better about it. It rips you apart. But as the head coach, it's my job to continue to do what we do," Flood said.

NJ.com reports that Athletic Director Julie Hermann attended a team meeting to tell players she had Flood's back after recent turmoil on the team, and asked them to do the same.

During a campaign appearance in New Hampshire today Gov. Chris Christie (R) downplayed the allegations and blamed the media for focusing too much on problems at Rutgers.

“You know, the breathless media coverage of all this and every time there is a problem it’s some indication or some problem, some deep-seeded problem at Rutgers,” said Christie according to NorthJersey.com. “I certainly have a lot more important things to do than worry about what wide receiver was suspended for a few games recently. Being governor of New Jersey and running for president is a little more important than that.”