The Big Sky Conference issued a public reprimand of Idaho State sophomore football player Michael Dean on Monday for a gesture Dean made to Montana’s fans during Saturday’s game at Holt Arena. The Conference has not suspended Dean and will take no further action.

Dean and the Bengals were defeated 39-31 by the visiting Grizzlies on Saturday. Dean sent out an apology via Twitter following the game.

“I want to apologize to the Montana fans for my rude gesture toward them during the game,” Dean’s tweet reads. “I let my emotions get the best of me. #GoBengals.”

ISU head coach Rob Phenicie said Monday during his weekly press conference the matter was handled internally. ISU confirmed Dean, a wide receiver, will play in the Bengals’ upcoming game Saturday at Sacramento State, but did not clarify whether or not he will be benched for any period of time during the game because of the incident.

Dean leads Bengals receivers with 21 catches for 396 yards and five touchdowns this season.

“Talked with (ISU Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey) about it. We handled it internally,” Phenicie said. “(Dean) knew he did wrong. We don’t condone acting like that.”

The Big Sky Conference’s full statement is below.

The Big Sky Conference has issued a public reprimand of Idaho State football student-athlete Michael Dean for his gesture directed at opponent’s fans during the Idaho State-Montana contest in Pocatello on Saturday, October 7.

Such actions violate the Big Sky Conference Sportsmanship policy, which states, “Student-athletes of Big Sky Conference institutions must remember at all times that they are representatives of an institution of higher education… Accordingly, they are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect credit on the institution and the Conference and create a collegiate atmosphere for Big Sky competition.”

The action is also a direct violation of the Misconduct Policies which preclude “unsporting conduct… that discredits the event, intercollegiate athletics, or the Big Sky Conference, as the Conference has assigned a high priority to assure that attendance at Big Sky Conference games is a safe and enjoyable experience.”

The Big Sky Conference considers the matter concluded and will have no further comment.