Scott Stricklin Releases Statement

Mississippi State AD Scott Stricklin has released a statement in response to comments made today by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive concerning the Cam Newton situation.

"During the recruitment of a football prospective student-athlete, Mississippi State was approached with an offer to provide an extra benefit. This offer was refused.

"MSU alerted the Southeastern Conference about the offer. MSU did not have any specific incriminating information about any other school, and thus could not provide any.

"As Commissioner Slive mentioned today, the SEC is not an investigative body. MSU has cooperated fully and completely with the NCAA from the time it began asking for our assistance, and looks forward to providing any and all help in this ongoing investigation."

This is the first time that MSU has officially stated that it was approached about extra benefits during the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete.