Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany issued the following statement Monday afternoon on the resignation of Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.

It reads:

Delany

Since Ohio State discovered and received information indicating possible violations in its football program in December 2010, it has consistently reported the information in a timely and collaborative way to the NCAA. The Big Ten Conference regards this approach as fundamental and necessary and has confidence that Ohio State will continue in this manner with regard to any newly discovered or reported information.

Coach Jim Tressel has made positive contributions to Ohio State and its student athletes during his tenure. He has also acknowledged making a serious mistake and his resignation today is an indication that serious mistakes have serious consequences.

Ohio State is scheduled to appear before the NCAA in August 2011 to adjudicate these matters.

The key line: "His resignation today is an indication that serious mistakes have serious consequences."

The other key line: "Ohio State will continue in this manner with regard to any newly discovered or reported information."

More is coming, folks.

Delany, not surprisingly, supports Ohio State and will continue to do so Aug. 12 at the school's appearance before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. But make no mistake: the Ohio State situation, which is continuing to unravel, reflects poorly on a league that subscribes to higher moral standards.