DETROIT -- Michigan State tailback Dawan Moss was dismissed from the team Sunday after being arrested and accused of dragging a police officer with his car following a traffic stop.

The 22-year-old Moss, one of the Spartans' captains, was charged with fleeing and eluding a police officer -- a felony -- as well as misdemeanor drunken driving and having an open container of alcohol.

Michigan State coach Bobby Williams announced Moss' dismissal.

"This type of behavior will not be tolerated in this football program, regardless of the players status," Williams said in a statement. "I'm disappointed in Dawan's actions because he was seen as one of our team leaders."

If convicted of all charges, Moss could be sentenced to as much as two years in prison, Ingham County prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said.

The arrest is the latest blow to the Spartans, whose season has deteriorated steadily since they started 2-0 start and rose to 15th in The Associated Press media poll. They've lost six of seven games since then, and their 49-3 defeat to Michigan on Saturday was their most lopsided loss since 1947.

Last month the team suspended two players -- quarterback Jeff Smoker and defensive end Greg Taplin -- for violating team rules. And two other players have quit the team.

Moss' arrest came after the team returned to Lansing following the loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor. Police noticed that Moss' car was blocking traffic, and an officer who approached the vehicle said he smelled alcohol on Moss' breath.

When Moss was asked to turn off the ignition, he refused, Lansing Police Captain Raymond D. Hall said. The officer tried to grab the keys from the ignition, but Moss tried to drive off, dragging the officer "for some distance," Hall said.

The officer had minor injuries.

Police said Moss crashed into a patrol car. He was arrested and taken to the Lansing City Jail.

Moss, a senior who ran for 53 yards on 13 carries in Saturday's game, was released on $500 bond. He is scheduled to appear before a Lansing district judge Nov. 13.