Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was reportedly arrested for operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OVI) on Saturday morning, and an Ohio State spokesman has confirmed that Barrett will be suspended next week against Minnesota, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reports.
University Athletic Director Gene Smith said that since it was a misdemeanor, Barrett would not face the mandatory two-week suspension. Smith stated that the suspension would be decided by head coach Urban Meyer, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors.
The school released a statement saying, "Ohio State University student-athlete J.T. Barrett was cited by Columbus police Saturday morning at a campus area check point with a misdemeanor offense of OVI. Barrett has been suspended by head coach Urban Meyer from playing in Ohio State's game against Minnesota on Nov. 7," via Eleven Warriors.
Barrett was arrested after he reportedly tried to avoid a DUI checkpoint near the University's campus, according to Schlabach. The sophomore quarterback failed a breathalyzer test and was released to teammate Cardale Jones.
The Buckeyes thought that they had found their starting quarterback after giving Barrett the full-time job last week against Rutgers. Meyer said that Barrett, "had earned the right," to start over Jones against Rutgers, via CBS Sports.
Barrett just led the Buckeyes to maybe their most impressive win of the season, and he was on point. He threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for a 101 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. The Buckeyes are off this week, and Jones is expected to start in place of Barrett next week against Minnesota.
