Ohio State Buckeyes’ defensive lineman Noah Spence (8) forces a fumble by Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) during a game earlier this season. Spence was suspended by the Big Ten for testing positive for ecstasy. (MCT Direct Photo)

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS — The father of Ohio State’s Noah Spence says his son unknowingly ingested the drug ecstasy and that the Big Ten unjustly suspended the sophomore defensive end.

Spence was suspended for Ohio State’s Orange Bowl loss and must sit out the first two games of the 2014 season.

His father, Greg Spence, has told several media outlets that someone apparently slipped the drug into a drink without Noah knowing it the week before the Big Ten title game on Dec. 7.

Ohio State backed the Spences’ appeal. Greg Spence said the Big Ten initially wanted to suspend his son for a season but then determined Ecstasy is not a performance-enhancing drug but rather a stimulant. The Big Ten denied an appeal to drop the suspension.

Spence led the Buckeyes in sacks.