What is it with the Oregon Ducks and their opponents? Now it's the Nevada Wolf Pack going at it in the suspension game.
Two of their members on the two deep--including a starting defensive back--will be missing their season opener (Nevada didn't play last week) against Oregon. Former starting free safety Marlon Johnson and second-string wide reciever L.J. Washington are out for "rules violations" according to Nevada head coach Chris Ault. Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal has more.
Redshirt freshman Charles Garrett, who Ault said would have the starting position over Johnson anyway, will start Saturday's game. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Garrett was a cornerback last season before moving positions in fall camp."We thought he could be a starting safety," Ault said. "That's why we moved him, and that's what he's become. He's been probably the most improved defensive back we've had here in awhile. He reminds me a lot of (former Wolf Pack safety) Jon Amaya. He's very quick at that safety spot. We're real pleased with him."
Oregon will be in a pretty foul mood all week after they stumbled against LSU, and they'll probably take it out hard on the Wolf Pack in their home debut in Autzen. Nevada is going to need to put their radar up and make sure their front-line defense stays on top of their game. With Johnson out, there's precious little depth behind the front seven to keep the Ducks running attack from bursting open and gashing the Wolf Pack for huge gains.
And no Washington leaves Nevada thin in the receiving corps. Oregon's defense will be wanting to show they're better than they looked last Saturday night.
For more on Oregon football, head to Addicted to Quack.