By BRENT WORONOFF, Staff Writer Daytona News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- Going into spring practice, Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt thought he'd have to replace two starters on defense. It hasn't been that easy.
Since then, five projected defensive starters have been scratched from the lineup. The result is a young defense that will have to grow up in a hurry Saturday when Mid-Eastern Athletic conference power South Carolina State comes to town.
"Losing players goes with the territory," Wyatt said. "The backups have to step up. That's why we have practices -- to get them ready."
But that hasn't made it any easier for Wyatt, who was hit with twin gut punches at the beginning of spring practice and the end of preseason training camp.
In the spring, strong safety Travis Roland underwent shoulder surgery. He plans to sit out the season and return next year.
"We didn't expect to lose Roland with the impact he had last year," Wyatt said.
Three other starters fell like dominoes during preseason camp. Linebacker Ronnie McCullough (hamstring) and defensive backs Michael Williams (Achilles tendon) and James Monds (hamstring) all will miss their second straight game Saturday.
But perhaps the worst blow of all ocurred a week before the opener when middle linebacker Rodney Hughes underwent surgery to repair a fractured bone in his hand.
"He went through all of camp, hitting every single day," Wyatt said of the senior leader. "We knew there was something there, but he would wrap it up and make the hits. All of a sudden, he said he had to have surgery and it blew my mind."
Hughes is a versatile player with size and speed who could man any of the defensive line and linebacker spots, Wyatt said.
"He impacted everything we wanted to do," Wyatt said. "He was like the steering wheel of our defense."
Hughes said he will miss 4-6 weeks, and is targeting the Morgan State game on homecoming weekend for his return. But Wyatt said he could be out longer and is not counting on his return.
Hughes' backup, Marquis Alexander, will also miss 6-7 weeks with a knee injury, Wyatt said.
Sophomore Brendan Odom played middle linebacker Saturday and led the Wildcats with 10 tackles. He is one of several young players who had impressive games, said Wyatt, who was also pleased with the performances of sophomore transfer Antwane Cox at corner and Cedric Mason and freshman Arkee Smith at strong safety.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Going into spring practice, Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt thought he'd have to replace two starters on defense. It hasn't been that easy.
Since then, five projected defensive starters have been scratched from the lineup. The result is a young defense that will have to grow up in a hurry Saturday when Mid-Eastern Athletic conference power South Carolina State comes to town.
"Losing players goes with the territory," Wyatt said. "The backups have to step up. That's why we have practices -- to get them ready."
But that hasn't made it any easier for Wyatt, who was hit with twin gut punches at the beginning of spring practice and the end of preseason training camp.
In the spring, strong safety Travis Roland underwent shoulder surgery. He plans to sit out the season and return next year.
"We didn't expect to lose Roland with the impact he had last year," Wyatt said.
Three other starters fell like dominoes during preseason camp. Linebacker Ronnie McCullough (hamstring) and defensive backs Michael Williams (Achilles tendon) and James Monds (hamstring) all will miss their second straight game Saturday.But perhaps the worst blow of all ocurred a week before the opener when middle linebacker Rodney Hughes underwent surgery to repair a fractured bone in his hand.
"He went through all of camp, hitting every single day," Wyatt said of the senior leader. "We knew there was something there, but he would wrap it up and make the hits. All of a sudden, he said he had to have surgery and it blew my mind."
Hughes is a versatile player with size and speed who could man any of the defensive line and linebacker spots, Wyatt said.
"He impacted everything we wanted to do," Wyatt said. "He was like the steering wheel of our defense."
Hughes said he will miss 4-6 weeks, and is targeting the Morgan State game on homecoming weekend for his return. But Wyatt said he could be out longer and is not counting on his return.
Hughes' backup, Marquis Alexander, will also miss 6-7 weeks with a knee injury, Wyatt said.
Sophomore Brendan Odom played middle linebacker Saturday and led the Wildcats with 10 tackles. He is one of several young players who had impressive games, said Wyatt, who was also pleased with the performances of sophomore transfer Antwane Cox at corner and Cedric Mason and freshman Arkee Smith at strong safety.
No comments:
Post a Comment