Oregon's Traeshon Holden's ejection is the third most this FBS season for a player spitting on the opponent

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon receiver Traeshon Holden has been ejected from Saturday night's game against Ohio State for unsportsmanlike conduct He spat on a Buckeyes playerthe second spitting incident of the day in college football and the third of the season.

The third-ranked Ducks were driving in the second quarter when Holden was forced to leave the game after spitting on cornerback Davison Igbinosun's facemask.

The incident occurred outside of an Oregon running play that resulted in a loss at Ohio State's 10-yard line. Igbinosun had given a push to Holden on the sideline, and Holden to Igbinosun.

Holden was escorted from the field into the tunnel, where he removed his helmet and threw it.

The 15-yard penalty pushed the Ducks back to the 25-yard mark and they ended up settling for a field goal. They won 32-31.

Memphis running back Mario Anderson Jr. was ejected Saturday for spitting on a South Florida player, and SMU defensive back Brandon Crossley was ejected Aug. 24 for spitting on a Nevada player.

Steve Shaw, the head of NCAA officials, said in a text to The Associated Press on Saturday evening that any time a player spit on an opponent, it constitutes an obvious unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that requires ejection. Shaw said that spitting at opponents “doesn't appear to be a major new trend” but that it might be worth discussing with conference leaders this week.

Holden had one catch for 32 yards when he was ejected. The senior receiver was second on the Ducks with three touchdown catches this season. He had at least three receptions in Oregon's last six games dating back to last season.

Holden spent his first three seasons at Alabama and transferred to Oregon before last season. He played in all 14 games in his first season with the Ducks and set a career high with 37 receptions and 452 receiving yards while matching his career high with six touchdown catches.

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