Big Ten at Ten 7.30.12: Eluding is Never a Good Idea

You know what isn't a big deal? Having a house party that all of the frat bros described as "totally bitchin." You know what is a big deal? Not stopping for the police. For the second time in three days, Iowa backup running back De'Andre Johnson had a run in with the law when he was charged with eluding, a serious misdemeanor, on Saturday night. Per Hawk Central:

According to the University Heights Police Department Johnson, 20, was pulled over on his motorcycle shortly after 9 p.m. after initially failing to stop after speeding away from a red light.

The police report said that Johnson pulled out of his driveway and was waiting at the red light at Benton/Sunset intersection, and "rapidly accelerated."

He was locked in at 60 mph in a 25 zone and the police "activated top lights and sirens. Defendant continued to gain distance."

Johnson finally pulled into 1018 W. Benton and parked his motorcycle behind a vehicle in the grass. The report said Johnson said his friend lived at the address but no friend "Jake" was every found.

For those of you who aren't in the "know," University Heights is a tiny town engulfed by Iowa City just east of Kinnick Stadium. Populated entirely by angry old people, the town's thoroughfare, Melrose Avenue, has a notorious reputation for being a speed trap. The speed limit drops from 35 to 25 east to west and if you're caught doing 27mph you will be pulled over, beaten like a red headed stepchild and ticketed. Benton Street, which is south of Melrose, isn't any better. The general rule is that speeding in University Heights is a death sentence.

So going 60mph in a 25 zone isn't the best idea. Also not the best idea: continuing to speed, failing to stop when the police get behind you, ditching your motorcycle and then claiming that your non-existent friend lives at the address where you were trying to hide. Brilliant move, De'Andre. Enjoy the "indefinite suspension" and the doghouse. I would go on and talk about who Iowa has left to sacrifice to AIRBHG play running back but those guys will tear an ACL slipping on a McDonald's bag or be thrown into that prison from The Dark Knight Rises so why even bother?

PS: Because he was going 25 over the posted speed limit he could have been charged with an aggravated misdemeanor. In Iowa, the maximum sentence for an aggravated misdemeanor is two years in prison. Brilliant.

PPS: Note the grammar error in the final sentence of the Hawk Central. "Every" should be "ever." Oh Gannett papers, you da best.

Links after the jump.

Team Links:

• A Lion Eye continues its countdown with safety Tommy Davis while IlliniHQ profiles tight end Matt LaCosse.
• Kegs n Eggs has a video of Tim Beckman "singing" Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
• Kirk Ferentz on Penn State, James Vandenberg on Drew Brees, James Ferentz on Brian Ferentz.
• Brady Hoke isn't giving any hints on who will receive the "Michigan legend" jerseys.
• MGoBlog's recruiting rankings still has Michigan in the #1 spot.
• Michigan State players don't have a problem expressing their honesty when it comes to the importance of beating the Wolverines.
• The Spartans are gearing up for camp.
• The Daily Gopher previews Minnesota's wide-receivers.
• Speaking of wide-receivers, FBT profiles Minnesota wide-receiver Marcus Jones.
• Bo Pelini has banned his players from Twitter. This makes Eric Martin very upset.
• Husker Extra says Pelini's "quiet time" has come to a screeching halt.
• Corn Nation previews the Northwestern Wildcats.
• Sippin on Purple continues its countdown with kicker Steve Flaherty and linebacker Michael Odom.
• Buckeye Battle Cry has photos from tOSU's Friday Night Lights.
• Did you know Urban Meyer was tOSU's head coach?
• Freshman Buckeye running back Bri'onte Dunn was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. AIRBHG's influence is spreading.
• 6 more football recruits are sticking with Penn State.
• The Paterno statue was moved to an undisclosed location, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. Where did it really go? I think Carmen Sandiego took it.
• Remember Rob Bolden? Me neither. Regardless, the ex-Penn State QB is considering transferring to LSU.
• The Boilers are building momentum heading into the fall, writes the Indy Star.
• Boiled Sports has 12 pivotal players for 2012.
• I rely on the Indy Star, along with 10 other Gannett Newspapers for these links because they're usually the only newspaper in town. Now, Gannett is making you pay for its newspapers online. Hammer & Rails has a few things to say about the Indy Star and their paywall.
• Madtown Badgers breaks down the defensive line. JS Online takes a look at the offensive line.

Conference Links:

• The BTN has a roundup of all the jersey changes for 2012.
• Is Tim Beckman the coach who is most excited about the Big Ten in 2012? BTN seems to think so.
• Change can't come quickly enough for college football, says the Chicago Tribune. Note that this article is probably 200 words but he spaces it out so it seems a lot longer.

Finally, don't forget to listen to Ted's interview on ESPN radio!