Following a marijuana citation that cost him an appearance at the 2014 SEC Media Days, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall will face additional "consequences," according to head coach Gus Malzahn.
"It is a privilege and a reward to represent Auburn here at SEC Media Days," Malzahn said. "Last Friday, Nick lost that privilege. We have high expectations for our players, but specifically with our quarterback being the face of the program."
Malzahn said the nature and timing of the consequences have yet to be determined.
Marshall was cited, but not arrested, on Friday, July 11 for marijuana possession in Reynolds, Georgia, according to Reynolds chief of police Lonnie Holder.
According to Holder, Marshall was in possession of "eight to nine grams" of marijuana at the time of a traffic stop over window tinting.
The citation came as a surprise to Malzahn, who said Marshall is remorseful over the incident.
"Up until last Friday, Nick had been a model student, teammate and citizen," Malzahn said. "Nick made a mistake and he will have to deal with the consequences. I'm not ready to say what those consequences are at this time, but I know he is regretful and he feels very bad about it."
Senior defensive lineman Gabe Wright said the team acknowledges Marshall's mistake, but is rallying to help the senior quarterback improve.
"As a senior, I'm not at the stage where you get loud and get in people's face," Wright said. "I saw him going into the dorm, just driving by, and I just told him I loved him. That's all I said. I [hugged] him in the team meeting. I know him personally. I know he made a bad decision, and he is truly remorseful. I can tell from the look in his eye and the words coming out of his mouth."
Despite the incident, Marshall's teammates said they still have faith in him as a leader.
"Our trust in him hasn't faltered in him at all and our faith in him is as strong as it's been," senior tight end C.J. Uzomah said. "Coach Malzahn will address it and he'll get back on track."
Marshall's citation is the second marijuana-related incident of the summer for Auburn; senior defensive back Jonathon Mincy was arrested for second-degree marijuana possession on June 27 in Henry County, Georgia.
In addition to action taken by the coaching staff, Wright said the team's seniors plan to come together to address the ongoing issues.
"I hate to use the word 'consequences,' but there will be senior leadership," Wright said. "We will talk, even if we have to have a senior meeting on our own. Things have been going well before those two incidents, and that's something you can't deny about this football team. We accept these two things that occurred, but I know my coach will handle it accordingly."
Read more:
SEC MEDIA DAYS 2014: Offensive stars, coaches promise more balance in 2014
SEC MEDIA DAYS 2014: Two years after arrest, senior center Dismukes a "team leader"
SEC MEDIA DAYS 2014: Fans flock to Hoover for unofficial start of football season
SEC MEDIA DAYS 2014: Jaylon Denson and Justin Garrett granted extra year of eligibility
SEC MEDIA DAYS 2014: Defensive end Lawson recovering from summer ACL surgery
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