Coach Holtz addressed the media today and addressed some of
the injury issues and talked about the gameplan as the team prepares for the
Big East opener on Thursday night.
Holtz stated the team was tired and the flight home, after a
delay, got them in around 4 am, leaving them with a short week, but Holtz said
he would not be an excuse for the group.
Holtz stated he was happy with the win over Nevada, but the
penalties and mistakes had to be corrected across the board. Holtz stated he wanted more out of the
running game and said that the Rutgers defense would pose a huge challenge, but
the team was prepared for it. Holtz said
by establishing the running game more, it would help open up the vertical
passing game, something the Bulls want to continue to do more. We saw the big strikes to Dunkley and Davis
on Saturday and more of that would keep an aggressive defense like Rutgers back
and make life a little easier on the line for the Bulls.
Holtz stated that wide receiver, who went down with a knee
injury during the Nevada game would miss the remainder of the 2012 season. Griffin, who missed part of last season with
an ankle injury and all of 2010 with a wrist injury, is eligible for a medical
redshirt and could get a 6th year of eligibility. While losing Griffin is a major blow, the
depth chart is stacked at wide receiver and Deonte Welch and D’vario Montgomery
could see more playing time now that Griffin is out.
Running back Marcus Shaw, who missed the game against Nevada
due to an ankle sprain, did not practice today and is questionable for the game
on Thursday night. The Bulls also have
two injury issues in the secondary.
Kayvon Webster, who went down with a leg injury vs. the Wolf Pack, did
not return to the game and did not practice today. Webster has stated he is very optimistic to
return to the field on Thursday, but expect the coaching staff to be very
careful and not rush him back out there.
Safety JaQuez Jenkins, who had a back injury flare up, did not practice
either, taking two starters out of the lineup for the Bulls and could force the
coaching staff to adjust and reshuffle the depth chart. Jon Lejiste, Ernie Tabuteau, Joshn Brown, and
Chris Bivins (don’t forget Kenneth Durden) could all rotate in and play big
minutes on Thursday night.
So there you have it.
Griffin out for the year, Shaw, Webster, and Jenkins all nursing
injuries, and the team is a little tired heading into Thursday night. This is going to be a very important game for
this group and could show how the rest of the season might unfold.
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