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Posted 10/22/2009 at 02:42 AM
Here's a look at some key injuries that could impact this weekend's slate of games in the colleges.
Air Force lost a major contributor on defense in the Navy game a couple weeks back when LB Ken Lamendola went down with a knee injury. But his absence has not been as critical as I thought it might be as senior John Falgout has stepped in and done a solid job.
Akron has a problem at WR with the loss of Deryn Bowser. He's the best receiver on the team, and the talent is so thin at that spot that the Zips are having to move safety Andre Jones from safety to fill out the depth chart. Akron is also now down to their #3 QB for the rest of the season.
Javier Arenas is questionable for Alabama as they prep for their battle with Tennessee. Arenas sat out last week's game with a rib injury. In addition to starting at CB, he's an extremely dangerous return specialist, so check his status as game time approaches.
Ball State is having a tough campaign and the Cardinals will now be without starting QB Kelly Page for the remainder of the season. Page injured his thumb last week against Bowling Green. Tanner Justice takes over the controls this week as the Cardinals visit Eastern Michigan.
Buffalo has issues at RB heading into their game at Western Michigan. Ike Nduka got hurt last week and is doubtful for this week. #2 RB Brandon Thermilus was also dinged up against Akron and is questionable for WMU. Bear in mind that James Starks was lost for the season before it began. The Bulls could be down to Mario Henry to shoulder the load on Saturday.
Cincinnati QB Tony Pike might not miss the Louisville game after all. He's been upgraded to questionable for Saturday with the sprained wrist suffered last week against South Florida. In view of how well Zach Collaros filled in, however, it could be that the Bearcats err on the side of caution and keep Pike on the sidelines for what looms as a fairly easy game against the Cardinals.
Colorado State has a couple of key injuries. Leading rusher Leonard Mason is questionable for San Diego State with bruised ribs. Meanwhile, the Rams have lost their leading tackler, Klint Kubiak, for the season.
Connecticut CB Jasper Howard was stabbed to death following last week's win over Louisville. The team held an emotional candlelight vigil honoring Howard on Wednesday evening.
Florida star wideout Riley Cooper has a hip pointer and his status for the Mississippi State game is up in the air.
UL Lafayette RB Undrea Sails broke his leg last week and is done for the season. That's a big injury as the senior was the leading rusher for the Cajuns.
Navy QB Ricky Dobbs has been playing through a knee injury, but it may be getting worse. Dobbs left practice this week and was sent to get an MRI. He's now questionable for the Wake Forest game, and don't be surprised to see Kriss Proctor calling signals for the Middies on Saturday.
Nathan Tune filled in admirably last week for North Texas after starting QB Riley Dodge went down. Look for Tune to get the start this week against Troy as Dobbs is now doubtful with a bad ankle.
Northern Illinois may be without QB Chandler Harnish as they venture to Miami Ohio. Harnish has a knee injury. Considering that this is a game where the Huskies are heavy favorites, there's a pretty good chance Harnish might stay on the sidelines.
No word yet on Ohio RB Chris Garrett, who missed last week's game with an ankle injury and is a question mark for this week. The Bobcats have quality depth at RB regardless and still ran very effectively last week in an easy win over Miami.
Oregon should have QB Jeremiah Masoli back in action as the Ducks visit Washington. Masoli sat out the win two weeks ago against UCLA, but he's back running the first unit in practice this week and should start against the Huskies.
Stanford star RB Toby Gerhardt's ankle is apparently okay and he's slated to play against Arizona State. He was sorely missed late last week against Arizona, so this is huge good news for the Cardinal.
Temple has a significant injury as they travel to Toledo. Freshman sensation Bernard Pierce was removed from the field on a stretcher last week with a shoulder injury, and the star RB is doubtful this weekend. Kee-ayre Griffin is likely to get the bulk of the carries while Pierce is out.
Steven Sheffield took over at QB for Texas Tech when Taylor Potts suffered a concussion. Sheffield played so well he bumped Potts to number two on the depth chart. But Potts is now back as the starter with Sheffield gone for at least the next couple of weeks with a foot injury. If Potts has any residual effects from his head injury, Seth Doege is next in line.
Tulane is handing over the starting QB reigns to redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin. He's been getting snaps in relief of an ineffective Joe Kemp, and now HC Bob Toledo is going to see how Griffin does as the starter.
Vanderbilt has had offensive line problems all season and now they will likely have to go without their best blocker. Thomas Welch has a bad ankle and has missed practice this week, leaving the Commodres short in the trenches as they visit South Carolina.
Virginia QB Jameel Sewell is questionable for the Georgia Tech game with an ankle that he rolled last week. Backup Mark Verica has plenty of experience as a starter if Sewell cannot go.
Jake Locker left last week's Washington game with a back injury, but the leader of the Huskies will be back on the field Saturday for the showdown with Oregon. Locker is having a phenomenal campaign, so this is very good news for UW fans.
Jarrett Brown left early last week as the West Virginia QB absorbed a mild concussion. But he has recovered very quickly and now appears likely to play against Connecticut. Geno Smith will step in if Brown has any lingering effects.
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