No. 1 Ohio State could be without the services of star quarterback J.T. Barrett for a while. Barrett was arrested on Saturday morning for suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while impaired, according to Eleven Warriors. The news was also mentioned at the start of Saturday’s episode of College GameDay.
Barrett’s blood-alcohol level was reportedly “slightly over Ohio’s legal limit of 0.08,” and he was released into the care of his backup, Cardale Jones.
After starting this season as Jones’ backup, Barrett became Ohio State’s starter on Oct. 24 against Rutgers after Jones got benched during the previous week’s game against Penn State. In somewhat limited action this season, Barrett has looked great. He has completed 41 of his 62 pass attempts for a 66.1 percent completion percentage with 472 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s been even more dangerous with his legs, as he’s second on the team in rushing attempts (42), yards (329), and touchdowns (seven).
Ohio State is on a bye this week, and Barrett will be suspended for next week’s game against Minnesota.
CONT STATEMENT: Barrett has been suspended by head coach Urban Meyer from playing in Ohio State’s game against Minnesota on Nov. 7.
<END>— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) October 31, 2015
While the university usually has a mandatory suspension length of two weeks for this issue, the length of this one is truncated because he was only arrested for a misdemeanor, per ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.
Ohio State AD Gene Smith tells @espn because J.T. Barrett’s arrest is misdemeanor, he’s not subject to mandatory 2-week suspension
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 31, 2015
Ohio State’s athletics policy indicates J.T. Barrett could be subject to 2-week suspension. OSU off this week, vs. Minnesota Nov. 7
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 31, 2015
If Barrett will only miss one game, he will return on Nov. 14 when Ohio State takes on Illinois.
(via Eleven Warriors)