Sacramento State head coach Jerome Jenkins was suspended for a game due to his actions following Thursday night’s controversial loss to Weber State.

According to a Big Sky Conference press release, Jenkins’ comments about the game’s officiating and his inability to control his players led to the suspension.

“The Big Sky Code includes a zero tolerance policy for public comments critical of officials,” said Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton in the press release. “As importantly, the behavior of his players and some of his staff following the game was completely unacceptable. The behavior created an explosive environment. We were fortunate that this incident did not escalate. In this type of situation, I hold the head coach responsible for the actions of his players and staff.”

With just seconds left in the game, Weber State’s Coric Riggs picked up a loose ball that had been slapped away from Sacramento State’s Jason Harris. Riggs raced down the court and sunk a layup as the buzzer sounded.

“We should be playing for overtime,” Jenkins told the Standard Examiner, a Utah newspaper, following the game.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that it took game officials a couple of seconds to rule the basket good. When they did, Jenkins charged toward the officials and had to be restrained by security, the Tribune reported.

“I am very apologetic for my actions,” Jenkins said. “You have to respect the officials call. I never should have put us in that situation and I am backing the Big Sky in their decision.

“I deserve it and it will never happen again.”

Jenkins said that, despite speculation, he never attempted to go into the officials’ locker room.

“I was walking that way and passed four or five people that I thought would tell me I couldn’t go in there and when I got to the doorway, I started to turn around.”

Jenkins said that’s when security and assistant coach Zac Claus grabbed him.

“It just looked real bad,” Jenkins said. “I am willing to bet my house the officials didn’t even know I was behind them.”

The Salt Lake Tribune also reported that Sac State freshman Randy Adams was challenging spectators to fight him on the floor and senior E.J. Harris made inappropriate gestures at Weber State fans.

Jenkins said both players will be reprimanded for their actions, but neither will be suspended by Jenkins for any games.

“This team is like a family and I’m the father,” Jenkins said. “It will be taken care of inside the family and they will be held accountable.

“We are going to have to learn how to handle this, and to conduct ourselves.”

Assistant coach Zac Claus will serve as head coach for Saturday’s 6:05 p.m. start.

“In this type of situation, I hold the head coach responsible for the actions of his players and staff,” Fullerton said.

*The State Hornet’s Nick Lozito and The Associated Press contributed to this report.