Marshall and Mincy will not start season opener against Arkansas

Senior quarterback Nick Marshall and senior cornerback Jonathan Mincy will not start in game one of the 2014 season against Arkansas, according to head coach Gus Malzahn.
Malzahn's punishment for Marshall and Mincy had been highly speculated after the quarterback's citation for possession of marijuana on July 11 and Mincy's arrest for second-degree marijuana possession on June 27.
Malzahn did not have an answer at SEC Media Days, but he ended the suspense after the Tiger's first fall practice.
"I've decided they will not start game one as part of their punishment," Malzahn said.
According to center Reese Dismukes, the team is behind the two seniors and whatever decision Malzahn makes for them.
"Whatever 11 are on the field, we are going to play with, and we are going to go out there and try and win a football game," Dismukes said.
Marshall's teammates respect how he has handled the situation since the incident, according to receiver Ricardo Louis.
"He's been working hard," Louis said. "He's still leading and trying to get better every day."
Marshall's replacement for the starting spot against Arkansas will be sophomore quarterback Jeremy Johnson.
Johnson's teammates have confidence in him and believe he is ready to step up this season, Louis said.
"He started a couple games last year," Louis said. "He showed that he can start and make plays for the team so I believe he will do good. He's more confident going into his second year."
Johnson is not as fast as Marshall, but has a big arm, according to Dismukes.
"I think they complement each other pretty well," Dismukes said.
Malzahn believes Marshall's and Mincy's absence in the start against Arkansas will help them in the future and still considers them starters.
"Nick Marshall is still our quarterback," Marshall said. "Jonathan Mincy is still our cornerback, but that's part of their punishment as far as that goes."