Jason Berryman’s plea of guilty to charges of criminal mischief in the fifth degree won’t effect his playing time in the upcoming season, said Iowa State football officials.

Head football coach Dan McCarney said the former MVP would face no playing time penalties over the infraction, and had already been disciplined within the football program for the incident.

“He was just being a knucklehead,” said McCarney of Berryman’s behavior. “It was a dumb thing to do, and he knows it.”

According to the Des Moines Register, McCarney announced his decision to have Berryman play in the season opener at a Big 12 Conference media gathering in Missouri.

“I don’t anticipate him missing any time,” he said to media personnel.

McCarney said Berryman had expressed regret over the incident and made restitution for his actions.

Having pleaded guilty to the charges, Berryman was given a deferred judgment and sentenced to a year’s probation and 10 hours of community service. Once completed, the charge will be purged from his record.

Berryman was charged by Ames Police May 7, after an incident involving an argument with another ISU student. LaLisa Smith, senior in finance, exchanged heated words with Berryman near 3427 Polaris Dr. before he punched out the driver’s side rear window of her 1996 Pontiac Sunfire. The incident took place at 1:45 a.m. The damage to the window was estimated at less than $200.

After the complaint was filed, Berryman was suspended due to a clause in the student-athlete code of conduct, which states that if a student athlete violates a law involving a violent action, including destruction of property, a suspension will follow until the charges have been addressed.

School officials said at the time that Berryman’s eligibility to play would be determined by the outcome of the charges.

A sophomore who plans to major in pre-business, Berryman was named MVP last year for his efforts as defensive end. He is expected to play in the Sept. 4 season opener against the University of Northern Iowa.

Berryman was unable to be contacted for comment for this article.