Multiple injuries plague Frogs
By Braden Howell and Brent Yarina
Sports Editors

From the outside looking in, it appears as though the Frogs are destined for disaster.

After losing their top three offensive weapons, the Frogs managed to defeat Vanderbilt two weeks ago and arrived in Arizona for a showdown with the Wildcats. They barely survived and came away with a 13-10 victory in overtime. The victory proved to be a costly one as two more key players, safety Marvin Godbolt and receiver Quentily Harmon, suffered injuries.

With injuries mounting every week, the team’s training room is full, and it looks as though the Frogs will be limping into Saturday’s game against Army.

“Actually, we’re getting healthier,” Chris Hall, director of sports medicine, said. “The guys have been making great advances and have started working on the functional aspects of their rehab.”

Sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn has missed two games because of a separated shoulder, and running backs Lonta Hobbs and Corey Connally missed the Arizona game with ankle sprains. Godbolt and Harmon both left the game against Arizona with knee and shoulder injuries, respectively, and defensive end Robert Pollard aggravated his previously injured knee in the game.

Hall said the functional aspects of the rehabilitation process include checking the mechanics specific to each player’s position. He said trainers observe Gunn’s throwing motion to make sure he isn’t dropping his elbow, which would put more strain on his injured shoulder. The running backs are being tested to make sure they can make cuts, while Pollard’s speed out of his stance is the main factor of his rehab process, Hall said.

Despite the injuries, head coach Gary Patterson is optimistic.

“Tye could have played last week, but I have a lot of confidence in our backups,” Patterson said. “It’s a long season.”

It’s no wonder Patterson has confidence in the backups.

Junior quarterback Brandon Hassell completed 50 percent of his passes for the second straight week, and redshirt freshman tailback Robert Merrill, who started the season third on the depth chart, ran for 156 yards, his second consecutive game with more than 100 yards. Overall, the Frogs racked up 452 yards of total offense. Not bad for backups.

The Frogs woes came by way of penalties (12 for 94 yards) and poor special teams play. Lou Groza candidate Nick Browne missed his first two field goals of the year, both from inside 40 yards, and the punt and punt return teams had unfavorable performances. The special teams unit was able to come through in the clutch with Browne kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime.

Of the six key players with injuries, Hall said only Harmon should be out for longer than two weeks. He said the players go through a four-stage process of rehabilitation, and that most of the injured players are entering the latter stages.

Hall said there is no guarantee the players will play, even if they feel ready Saturday.

“The question is, is it worth playing these guys against Army?” Hall said.

Patterson said it is too early in the week to know what players will be available against Army, but that if they were healthy, they would play. He said it does not matter who the opponent is because all the games are of equal importance.

“It’s a big game,” Patterson said. “Every game counts as one.”