Monday, August 6, 2007 11:02 PM CDT
Injuries hit Panthers early
EIU Football Media Day
BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Progress report for Norris Smith is one step past the crying stage.
Adam Kesler no doubt is still battling the heartache.
While Monday afternoon’s rain washed out most of the scheduled kids clinic at Eastern Illinois’ football media day, what has really dampened the start of preseason practice are injuries to Smith, the Panthers’ top returning rusher, and Kesler, who was being counted on to contribute both as a wide receiver and kick returner.
Smith was bothered by pain and then learned he had a partial tear in his knee that is likely to sideline him at least for the first half of the season.
“When I first learned the news it was teary,” the junior running back said. “I cried. I’m dealing with it now. I think if I don’t play this year I’ll get stronger for the next two years.”
While Smith does have a redshirt season, his first goal is to try to return this season.
The medical report is that that probably will not be until at least six games into the season.
Rushing for 656 yards and six touchdowns on 135 carries last season, the power-running 5-foot-9, 220-pound Smith was looking to take over as Eastern’s premier back following the graduation of Ohio Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year Vincent Webb, who sped his way to 1,405 yards and seven touchdowns on 264 carries.
But the Panthers have others ready.
Now, more playing opportunity could be grabbed by at least one of these running backs:
- quick, 5-foot-8, 176-pound junior Travorus Bess, who redshirted last season after running for 318 yards on 87 rushes and catching 15 passes for 495 yards in 2005;
- 5-10, 207-pound senior Ademola Adeniji, who last year led the Panthers in yards per carry at 5.8 totaling 354 yards on 61 carries as the team’s third running back;
- or 5-8, 173-pound sophomore Ron Jordan, who had 10 carries last season and has the speed to also be a consideration for kick return duties.
“They were all going to play anyway,” offensive coordinator Jorge Munoz said. “They are all different kinds of backs. You never want anyone to get hurt but there aren’t many programs that could say they were four deep at running back.”
Head coach Bob Spoo said: “We’ll get through it. We have three guys who can play. Whoever can rise to the occasion we’re going to play.”
Early indications are that Kesler will use his redshirt season this year after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s practice.
“It’s very unfortunate,” Spoo said. “Just when you think he’s over the injury bug, he has it again. He was going to be a starting player.”
Kesler as a true freshman two years ago made a quick impact returning eight punts for an average of 10.6 yards and eight kickoffs for an average of 29.6 yards and catching 10 passes for 54 yards before being sidelined for five games with an injury.
Last year the Mahomet-Seymour product played in 10 games, returned a team-high 24 punts for a 4.1 average, returned eight kickoffs for a 19.2 average and caught three passes for 13 yards and missed three other games with injury.
This time the injury comes before any games.
“You talk about a guy fighting through the injury bug,” Munoz said. “I feel really bad for him and his dad. It hurts our offense. It hurts our special teams. But it’s not the first time an injury has happened. We were going to get young guys ready anyway. I just feel bad for him and his dad more than anything.”
Those at media day also saw All-American wide receiver Micah Rucker wearing a protective boot on his ankle but that apparently is nothing serious.
“Just precautionary,” Spoo said. “We’re not taking any chances with him. He’s proven himself.”
Also with a good bill of health is the head coach who missed all of last season following a medical procedure the week of the opener.
But now Spoo is back for another try at his 20th season as Eastern’s head coach.
“I’m doing well,” Spoo said. “My daughter and wife are taking good care of me. I’m anxious. I’m a little impatient with these preseason practices. I’m ready to get going on the season.”
For now, the Panthers are gearing toward their first full-pad practice on Wednesday and then a 9:30 a.m. Friday scrimmage.
These are expected to be with Spoo back in charge.
“It’s great,” junior defensive end Pierre Walters said. “He’s looking great. You forget he’s there and then all of a sudden you hear that booming voice.”
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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