New Year’s Day this year, Ohio State announced that Noah Spence would be suspended for three games -- the Orange Bowl and the first two games of the 2014 season -- for what was labeled as a violation of a Big Ten conference rule. It turned out that Spence had failed a drug test because of ecstasy, which his father claimed was slipped into his son’s drink at a party while also threatening to sue the Big Ten over the suspension.
That threat never came to fruition, but the two-game suspension to start the season did as the talented defensive lineman misses matchups against Navy and Virginia Tech. With the suspension lifted, Spence was listed on the depth chart for this weekend’s game and was expected to see his first action of the season Saturday against Kent State. Only he won’t.
ElevenWarriors.com first reported that Spence had failed another drug test and that his status with OSU was in jeopardy. A short time later, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Spence had tested positive for ecstasy again, and that the results of the failed test were only received late this week.
Spence came clean to his parents, the Dispatch wrote, “about having a ‘medical illness’ and is seeking treatment for it.” Said the parents in an email, "[w]e love him dearly, and our focus is to get him the best medical attention we can,” adding that they are “hopeful that Noah can get healthy and, at some point, resume his career with the Buckeyes.”
Ohio State sent out a press release that only addressed Spence’s status for this Saturday’s game.
Spence was widely expected to be part of what was considered, heading into the 2014 season, one of the top defensive lines in the country. As a sophomore 2013, Spence led the Buckeyes with 8.5 sacks and was second in tackles for loss with 14.5.
UPDATE (6:25 p.m. EST): Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence may miss more than the upcoming contest against the Kent State Golden Flashes. Spence may be lost to the Buckeyes for the season.
Regarding Noah Spence, B1G handbook states any athlete w/ 2nd positive drug test declared permanently ineligible for further competition.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 12, 2014
Spence will have an opportunity to appeal the decision, and he could return to the field this season.
Am now told Spence DOES have an appeal opportunity for second positive test. So there’s still a chance eligibility restored.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 12, 2014