Dantonio: LJ Scott to play for Michigan State on Saturday after arrest

EAST LANSING – Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio issued a statement Friday that running back LJ Scott will play Saturday against Indiana.

Scott was arrested Wednesday for his seventh driving infraction since 2016.

“In what has been a lengthy process, LJ Scott now has a valid driver’s license, free of any restrictions,” Dantonio said in a statement. “He has resolved the matter completely, and has paid a price, both financially and publicly. His status will be affected for Saturday’s game, but he will play.”

More:MSU football's LJ Scott arrested, faces 7th charge for driving without a valid license

Scott on Friday accepted a plea deal and paid $560 in fines and costs to resolve the ticket he received Wednesday for driving on a suspended license, court records show.

East Lansing City Attorney Tom Yeadon said Scott admitted responsibility to an equipment violation. The suspended license charge will be dismissed if he doesn't commit another offense over the next six months, Yeadon said.

Scott's license had been suspended because of an unpaid ticket, Yeadon said. Scott had already resolved that matter when he accepted the plea bargain in 54B District Court, the attorney said.

Records in 55th District Court in Mason show Scott paid $192 on Friday to close an open traffic case from last spring. The records indicate that also on Friday, he received driving clearance from the Michigan Secretary of State. 

James Heos, Scott's attorney, did not return messages left for him by the State Journal on Thursday and Friday.

The State Journal reported Thursday that Wednesday's arrest was the seventh time since early 2016 that the junior running back from Hubbard, Ohio had been cited for driving on a suspended license in Michigan or Ohio.

Prior to Wednesday's incident, Scott was stopped by East Lansing police in February 2016 and July 2016 and by MSU police in March of this year, records show.

He was cited in Ohio in March 2016, April 2016 and July 2017.

All of those cases were resolved when he pleaded guilty to lesser charges, court records indicate.    

Scott ran for 194 yards on 25 carries, both career highs, and scored two touchdowns Saturday in the Spartans’ 30-27 win at Minnesota.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!