Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall and cornerback Jonathon Mincy won't start in their opener against Arkansas on August 30 for their marijuana-related cases, according to coach Gus Malzahn.
Marshall, a Heisman Trophy contender last season, was cited for possession of marijuana last July 11 in Georgina. The case is not considered close after his mother paid the fine of $1,000.
Meanwhile, Mincy was arrested for second-degree possession of marijuana two months ago.
''I've decided that they will not start Game 1 as part of their punishment,'' Malzahn said via Yahoo! ''I will say this: Nick Marshall is still our quarterback. Jonathon Mincy is still our cornerback but that's part of their punishment.''
But the coach would not detail the team's punishment on the two players.
Marshall was the vital cog in the Tigers offense last year. He passed for 1,976 yards and ran for 1,068, and accounting for 26 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Johnson was able to complete 71 percent of Marshall's passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns.
Receiver Ricardo Louis said Marshall apologized to the team after the incident. ''I can see he's sincere about it. For me, he doesn't show that it's affected him at all. He's out there making throws and making plays. That shows me that it doesn't affect him at all. He's a leader.''
Center Reese Dismukes reiterated the team's support to the two players, telling USA Today: "Obviously we're behind both of them 100 percent. Whatever 11 are on the field, we're going to play with and we're going to go out there and try to win football games."
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