Noah Spence plans to sue Big Ten

— -- Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence received a three-game suspension from the Big Ten after testing positive for the drug ecstasy, his father told WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Pa.

Spence, a sophomore from Harrisburg, was suspended for last week's Discover Orange Bowl after testing positive for a small amount of ecstasy, his father told WHTM-TV. Greg Spence said Noah, a sophomore, didn't intend to take the drug as it had been put into a drink he had been given at a recent party.

Noah Spence was also suspended for the first two games of the 2014 season, against Navy and Virginia Tech.

Greg Spence said the Big Ten originally suspended Noah for a full season before reducing the ban to three games following an appeal. The family made a second appeal, which was denied, and plans to file a lawsuit against the conference, according to the report.

Ohio State said in a statement Jan. 1 that it aided the Spence family in its appeal to the Big Ten.

The NCAA classifies ecstasy as a stimulant on its list of banned substances. There was some question in Spence's case about whether ecstasy is considered a performance-enhancing drug.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith declined to comment when reached by ESPN.com via email Tuesday.

Spence led Ohio State with 8.5 sacks and ranked second on the team with 14.5 tackles for loss. He had 52 total tackles, a forced fumble and four quarterback hurries.