A player with one of the longest consecutive games started streaks at the FBS level will see that run end thanks to a ruling by the NCAA.
Tulsa’s Demarco Nelson, the school said Tuesday, will sit out the season opener against Bowling Green. The only reason given was that the safety is “ineligible to compete per the NCAA’s Progress Towards Degree Requirement.”
What specifically that entailed was not divulged by Tulsa.
Tulsa World wrote that "[t]he status of Nelson’s eligibility for Tulsa’s Sept. 7 home opener against Colorado State - and for the rest of the season - has not been determined by the NCAA. " Tulsa has appealed to the NCAA for Nelson’s reinstatement.
If Nelson were to be suspended for the entire 2013 season, he would still have one season of eligibility remaining.
Nelson has started the past 39 games for the Golden Hurricane. That streak, the paper notes, is tied for second nationally and behind only Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (41).