STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Stanford defensive lineman Terrence Stephens has been declared ineligible for the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin because of a secondary violation of NCAA rules related to his rental of off-campus housing.
The school did not release any further details about its decision Friday. The senior nose guard missed victories in the regular-season finale and the Pac-12 championship against UCLA for what Cardinal coach David Shaw had called a "personal problem."
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Stephens anchors the Stanford defensive line's run package, often clogging the middle to free up teammates to fill the gaps. Stephens has 10 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble this season. He also forced the win-clinching fumble by Curtis McNeal in Stanford's 56-48 victory in triple overtime at Southern California last year.
"I love my team and the work we've all put in to get to this point," Stephens wrote on Twitter. "My situation is irrelevant. Go to the Rose Bowl and cheer on a great team."
David Parry will make his third straight start in place of Stephens when the Cardinal (11-2) face the Big Ten champion Badgers (8-5) in Pasadena on Jan. 1. Parry had five tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in the 35-17 win at UCLA in the season finale. He had one tackle in Stanford's 27-24 victory in the title game rematch against the Bruins at Stanford Stadium on Nov. 30.
The Cardinal defense leads the national in tackles for loss (9.23 per game, 120 total) and sacks (4.31 per game, 56 total). The unit also is the third-best rushing defense, allowing only 87.69 yards per game.
"The party in the backfield doesn't end people," Stephens tweeted.
