Oregon player ejected for spitting on Ohio State foe in Big Ten showdown

There is no spitting in college football.

But don’t tell that to Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden.

Holden was ejected for spitting on Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun after the two were engaged in a play near the goal line in the second quarter of No. 2 Oregon’s 32-31 win over No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.

NBC cameras caught Holden spitting at Igbinosun in front of an official.

It was an obvious flag and automatic ejection by rule as Igbinosun wiped slobber from the visor on his face mask.

Following the ejection, a distraught Holden threw his helmet as he walked up the tunnel to the locker room, and NBC cameras caught him on his knees in frustration at himself for the boneheaded penalty.

Holden’s ejection was a big loss for Oregon. The receiver, who is in his second season with the Ducks after transferring from Alabama, entered the night as one of the team’s top receivers

Holden entered the battle of the 5-0 unbeatens with 19 catches for 274 yards in Oregon’s first five games.

He had one catch for 32 yards before getting bounced from the game.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning talks to a dejected Traeshon Holden who was ejected in the second quarter for spitting on an Ohio State player. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Nevertheless, the Ducks were able to move the ball against the Buckeyes and held a 22-21 lead at halftime.

This wasn’t the first time there was a spitting incident in college football this season.

North Carolina State offensive tackle Anthony Belton was ejected for spitting on Clemson defensive tackle Tré Williams right before halftime of the Wolfpack’s 59-35 blowout loss to the Tigers on Sept. 21, 2024.

Belton took exception to how several Clemson players piled on Wolfpack freshman quarterback CJ Bailey after sacking him. In the heated aftermath of the play, Belton spit in the face of Williams.

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