Jamaal Bass of NIU facing court date

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Northern Illinois linebacker Jamaal Bass has been indicted in Ohio on a felonious assault charge on allegations he intentionally ran into the Toledo marching band, knocking down a member, as he took the field when the teams played in November.

According to multiple reports, Bass faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison if convicted on the felonious assault charge. The Lucas County grand jury on Friday also indicted the redshirt freshman from Miramar, Fla., on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Bass was suspended after the 63-60 victory at Toledo. Coach Dave Doeren apologized to the band and the university, saying the program was embarrassed. The Blade newspaper in Toledo reports that a recording appears to show Bass jumping shoulder-first into the face of a band member and knocking over another.

"As the legal proceedings in Toledo involving NIU football player Jamaal Bass are ongoing, we will reserve any comment until that process is complete," Northern Illinois said in a statement. "Jamaal is currently enrolled at Northern Illinois and his status with the football program has not changed."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.