ANNAPOLIS – Navy’s season opener is in the books. Jared Marks‘ isn’t.
The senior nose guard was suspended for a violation of team rules for the Midshipmen’s 40-17 defeat of Delaware on Saturday. He’ll return this weekend, when Navy (1-0) visits Western Kentucky (0-1).
“He’s excited,” coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “Right after the game, he had a big smile on his face knowing that. That was hard for him. That was super-hard for him to sit out. He worked hard this summer and he’s one of the leaders on our team, but he was super excited after the game.”
Marks had played in 27 consecutive games for Navy before the suspension. At 6-foot-5 and 297 pounds figures to play a prominent role in the middle of the Mids’ defensive line.
It will come immediately, too. Niumatalolo wasted no time crafting a reply Wednesday when asked if Marks would take back the starting spot he held throughout camp.
“Oh yeah,” Niumatalolo said. “He paid his fine. We’re moving on. He’s got a clean slate and we’re looking forward to him coming back.”
