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| McDonald was UCLA's second-leading tackler in 2012. (US Presswire) |
Next week's Holiday Bowl between UCLA and Baylor is expected to be one of the higher scoring bowl games this season. Vegas has the over/under set at 80½ points.
And that total might be about to go higher.
UCLA has announced that safety Tevin McDonald, the team's second-leading tackler, will not play in the game due to a violation of team rules.
"We had to leave Tevin McDonald at home for a violation of team policy," said coach Jim Mora. "I can’t discuss it any further than that."
While Mora won't discuss what it was that led to the suspension of McDonald, the Los Angeles Times reports that it was a failed drug test. Citing an unnamed source within the program, the paper reports McDonald tested positive for marijuana and the team's policy is to suspend a player for one game after a third positive test.
Whatever the reason for McDonald's suspension, it's never good to be down a starting safety for a game against a Baylor offense that is averaging 44.1 points and 578.8 yards per game.
McDonald finished the season with 74 tackles, one interception, one fumble forced and eight passes broken up.
