Patterson says week off was well-timed
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

After a week hiatus from playing, the Horned Frogs are getting ready for this week’s game.

The team will take on conference foe Houston Saturday for Homecoming, but although the time is used for rest and recuperation, head coach Gary Patterson said at his weekly luncheon that the team didn’t take the week off.

“We don't call them off weeks anymore,” Patterson said. “We try to have a two-week preparation period. We kind of do it a little bit opposite of what other people do. We really try to get after it the first week, which everyone calls the off week. (Today)and Thursday we'll be in sweats and helmets.”

The week off probably couldn’t have come at a better time for the Frogs. After playing four games in three weeks, the Frogs were battling injuries and fatigue. The team now picks back up the season with the rest of its games being conference opponents.

Patterson said with the rest of the conference games starting, the off week was placed perfectly for the team.

“By the time we got done with North Texas, we were glad to have a week off,” Patterson said. “I think we were a little bit tired of playing football. They were banged up, and you could really tell when we had our practice on Sunday. We probably have our legs better than we have had in a while.”

Stilley’s return is day-to-day; Gunn may start
Senior quarterback Sean Stilley’s status is uncertain for Saturday’s game with Houston. Stilley separated his shoulder against North Texas, and redshirt freshman Tye Gunn will step in if Stilley is unable to go. Such an injury can take six to eight weeks to heal, however Patterson said he is not sure if it will be that long, and points to the example of sophomore safety Marvin Godbolt who injured his ankle in the Frogs opener against Cincinnati. Originally thought to be out six to eight weeks, Godbolt is already back playing with the team.

Offensive line starting to get healthy
The continuity the Frogs have been searching for at the offensive line position may finally be coming into place. Sophomore Chase Johnson is expected to make a healthy return to the team this weekend, after an ankle injury against SMU Sept. 14 sidelined him for the North Texas game. Added with senior Brady Barrick returning, the team looks to have a healthy rotation of seven or eight bodies on the line. The only question mark is senior Josh Harbuck, who injured his back in practice last week.

Freshman running back expected in mix
The speculation has been that true freshman Lonta Hobbs would be getting an opportunity to see snaps in the backfield in an upcoming game. Patterson said this game looks to be the one. With junior Kenny Hayter out with a shoulder injury, Hobbs will share duties with juniors Rickey Madison and Corey Connally.

Ellis likely to return
Senior tight end Quint Ellis has made vast strides in his attempts to recover from a knee injury sustained against SMU. In between classes and practices, Ellis managed to make his way into the training room up to six times a day to receive treatment. His return is expected against Houston after sitting out the last game.