This just seems like one of those seasons everything is lining up perfectly for LSU.
Game 1 canceled due to weather
Keeps team refreshed .
Play Auburn in the midst of an implosion.
Last week they get to play a tough SEC road game at home.
This week the QB on the other team gets suspended the game before
Game 1 canceled due to weather
Keeps team refreshed .
Play Auburn in the midst of an implosion.
Last week they get to play a tough SEC road game at home.
This week the QB on the other team gets suspended the game before
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier has been suspended one calendar year from Oct. 12 for a violation of the NCAA's substance-abuse policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Florida coach Jim McElwain and Grier both said a failed test was a result of Grier taking an over-the-counter supplement without running it by team doctors first.
"Will Grier won’t play this week and obviously in the near future due to taking a supplement, an over-the-counter supplement that had something in that was on the NCAA list of things that you can’t have," McElwain said. "It’s something that he feels horrible about. It’s an honest mistake and yet can be prevented by just checking with our medical staff."
Grier and the University of Florida plan to appeal the decision, but Grier will remain ineligible for competition until the appeal is resolved. Grier is able to practice with the team but cannot travel.
In lieu of a successful appeal, Grier will be forced to sit out a full calendar year of competition. He will also be penalized a year of eligibility, meaning he would come back as a redshirt junior in October of 2016.
A successful appeal can result in a reduced or eliminated sanction. Florida will begin the appeal process on Tuesday.
"We will, as a university, appeal this and we support Will, his family, obviously in every way possible," McElwain said. "And yet, we also know that there's certain steps that go along the way when taking an over-the-counter supplement. Doesn't matter what it is. That's the way it is."
The University of Florida confirmed that no games Florida has already completed are in jeopardy of forfeiture or vacation due to an ineligible player competing, as Grier did not become ineligible until the positive test was confirmed from a B sample.
McElwain said he first became aware of the results on Sunday following the Missouri game.
Grier and McElwain addressed the media on Monday afternoon, with Grier outlining how he failed the test and expressing remorse.
"So I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it, and I did not check with the medical staff before taking it," Grier said. "I really hope that people can learn from this, learn from my mistake. I'm really, really sorry to everyone. Just really sorry."
The NCAA drug testing procedure is to collect a sample from players and is split into two samples, an A sample and a B sample. Upon a positive test from the A sample (results take about two weeks to come back) the B sample is then tested to verify a positive. Grier's B sample came back positive, resulting in a failed test and a loss of eligibility at that time.
With Grier suspended pending an appeal, Florida turns to sophomore quarterback Treon Harris as the starter.
Harris has played sparingly this year after starting the opener and splitting reps with Grier in the second game of the season. He served a one-game suspension against Tennessee, and Grier has started every game since.
On the year, Harris is 19-27 (70.4%) passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He has also rushed 10 times for 63 yards.
Florida coach Jim McElwain and Grier both said a failed test was a result of Grier taking an over-the-counter supplement without running it by team doctors first.
"Will Grier won’t play this week and obviously in the near future due to taking a supplement, an over-the-counter supplement that had something in that was on the NCAA list of things that you can’t have," McElwain said. "It’s something that he feels horrible about. It’s an honest mistake and yet can be prevented by just checking with our medical staff."
Grier and the University of Florida plan to appeal the decision, but Grier will remain ineligible for competition until the appeal is resolved. Grier is able to practice with the team but cannot travel.
In lieu of a successful appeal, Grier will be forced to sit out a full calendar year of competition. He will also be penalized a year of eligibility, meaning he would come back as a redshirt junior in October of 2016.
A successful appeal can result in a reduced or eliminated sanction. Florida will begin the appeal process on Tuesday.
"We will, as a university, appeal this and we support Will, his family, obviously in every way possible," McElwain said. "And yet, we also know that there's certain steps that go along the way when taking an over-the-counter supplement. Doesn't matter what it is. That's the way it is."
The University of Florida confirmed that no games Florida has already completed are in jeopardy of forfeiture or vacation due to an ineligible player competing, as Grier did not become ineligible until the positive test was confirmed from a B sample.
McElwain said he first became aware of the results on Sunday following the Missouri game.
Grier and McElwain addressed the media on Monday afternoon, with Grier outlining how he failed the test and expressing remorse.
"So I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it, and I did not check with the medical staff before taking it," Grier said. "I really hope that people can learn from this, learn from my mistake. I'm really, really sorry to everyone. Just really sorry."
The NCAA drug testing procedure is to collect a sample from players and is split into two samples, an A sample and a B sample. Upon a positive test from the A sample (results take about two weeks to come back) the B sample is then tested to verify a positive. Grier's B sample came back positive, resulting in a failed test and a loss of eligibility at that time.
With Grier suspended pending an appeal, Florida turns to sophomore quarterback Treon Harris as the starter.
Harris has played sparingly this year after starting the opener and splitting reps with Grier in the second game of the season. He served a one-game suspension against Tennessee, and Grier has started every game since.
On the year, Harris is 19-27 (70.4%) passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He has also rushed 10 times for 63 yards.
