If it is caffeine (we don't know) Robbins should say as much. It would probably garner a lot of sympathy and astonishment from the casual observer (that gets through their day with four cups o' joe).
But as things are right now either NDSU is being openly disparaged (by an Athletics HOFer, and her son, no less) or NDSU is being less than forthright. Neither option is a good look for any involved. And reality is somewhere in the middle which is the worst for all.
McFeely is right: there should be a fact-finding. Until there's that, rumor and innuendo* will fill the void and that's good for nobody.
However, it should be done by a disinterested third party. Could the MVFC/Summit League do that?
Last thought: This Ben Newman fellow ... I'm wondering if the NCAA should be looking at his 'business model' and what all his business entails. His name is coming up in too many interesting places ('bama, Clemson, 'SU).
*That's not Preparation H in Tijuana.