Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks are going to have to play the National Title game against Ohio State without wide receiver Darren Carrington.
First reported by CSNNW.com, Carrington was suspended for failing a drug test from the NCAA. Citing unnamed sources with the team, the website said Carrington was not on the plane from Eugene, Ore. to Dallas, Texas.
Oregon head football coach Mark Helfrich confirmed to ESPN on Saturday morning Carrington's suspension. He would not discuss the matter any further, but CSNNW.com learned from its sources that Carrington tested positive for marijuana.
"[I can] confirm it is an NCAA policy in play, and it is in effect for this game, and that's all we are going to talk about it," Helfrich told ESPN.
Mariota is now down another passing target, as Carrington was the Ducks' number-two receiver. Oregon previously lost freshman wideout Devon Allen and junior tight end Pharaoh Brown to injury.
"It's tough," Mariota, the recently named Heisman Trophy recipient, told ESPN. "[Carrington] is a big playmaker for us. Next guy up."
What's more is the Ducks played in the Rose Bowl without their top cornerback, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. While Mariota and the Oregon offense made up for the loss of a key defensive player in their 59-20 win over Florida State, the loss of a starting receiver will likely be more difficult against the Ohio State defense.
Ohio State picked off Blake Sims three times in their 42-35 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama and held Amari Cooper to 71 yards. While Cooper caught two touchdown passes, Ohio State did not allow the Heisman finalist to make any big plays, which Oregon got more than once from Carrington in the Rose Bowl.
"Distractions are distractions if you let them be," Helfrich said. "How you manage them is what matters most."
