Two Buckeye cornerbacks suspended for title game.

[TimTaylor75]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls07/news/story?id=3162942

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Top-ranked Ohio State will be without two cornerbacks -- one a starter and the other a top reserve -- who have been suspended for the Allstate BCS Championship Game against LSU, according to media reports.

Donald Washington, a sophomore who has started every game this season for the Buckeyes (11-1), and backup Eugene Clifford were suspended for violating team rules, WCMH-TV and The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.

Athletic director Gene Smith declined Thursday to confirm the suspensions and said there was "work to be done" before he could confirm them.

Washington, in particular, played a key role in an Ohio State defense ranked among the best in the nation. He had 34 tackles, tied for seventh-best on the team with second-team All-American lineman Vernon Gholston, and also had two tackles for minus yardage, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Washington, 21, started at nickel back a year ago and moved into the starting spot at field corner this spring. In a 48-3 win over Kent State on Oct. 13, the Indianapolis native returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown and recorded his first career sack.

With him out of the lineup, redshirt freshman Chimdi Chekwa will most likely move into the starting position.

Clifford was a prized recruit last spring after receiving all-state and several national honors during his days at Colerain High School.

He was listed as Malcolm Jenkins' backup at border corner on the Buckeyes' latest two-deep chart.

Clifford had played in four games, totaling eight tackles.

The Buckeyes' final workout before the holidays was on Wednesday. They will be off until returning on Dec. 26, then will practice for a week before flying to New Orleans on Jan. 2.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Nate]

Losing Washington hurts.  Clifford not so much. 

The rumor is it's drug related but you're not going to get any confirmation of that.

[FlaBuck]

Well this is my first post here......hello all

As far as this news......what can you say but we've got to move on. We have a title to win, an obviously that wasn't a priority to these young fellas.

[FlaBuck]

Update.........just coming across 1460 the Fan.

Donald Washington will not miss the National title game,  Eugene Clifford will miss the National title game.

This just coming out at about 4:30pm.  It looks as if the media was awefully fast to blow this story up before knowing all the details.  Typical.

[Nate]

Update.........just coming across 1460 the Fan.

Donald Washington will not miss the National title game,  Eugene Clifford will miss the National title game.

This just coming out at about 4:30pm.  It looks as if the media was awefully fast to blow this story up before knowing all the details.  Typical.

That is a relief that Washington is going to play. I'm glad the media got it wrong and it is typical.  Quick to blow the whistle without the whole story or truth.

Welcome to Buckeyes 24/7 FlaBuck!

[FlaBuck]

The National media was aweful quick to put this out................The Buckeyes are loved , aren't they??

[mjp28]

The National media was aweful quick to put this out................The Buckeyes are loved , aren't they??

We know the BUCKEYES are loved, well up here in Big 10 country.

Hey, I guess it's a regional thing but there are BUCKEYE transplants everywhere!
 

....and welcome FlaBuck to BUCKEYES 24/7, hope to see you around, mjp

[buckeye2]

The rumor is it's drug related but you're not going to get any confirmation of that.

Clifford is know for being in trouble when he was playing HS ball here in Cincy for smoking marijauna.  So it doesn't surprise me.     

[OH_10]

So Washington was let off the suspension so he could play in the Championship game?

[Nate]

He got in trouble at the same time as Clifford.  He appealed his suspension and it was revoked.  There must have been something about his circumstances didn't warrant a suspension.  We can only guess since there is nothing going to be publicized.