Starting offensive tackle Aleksey Lanis has a huge, soft cast on his left forearm because of his broken ulnar bone.
Lanis said that the broken bone does cause pain, but it’s something he can live with – and play with – in the Emerald Bowl Dec. 27th.
Tight end Ryan Moya, who broke his fibula in October, was hoping to return in time for the bowl game but will not be ready.
Defensive end Nikola Dragovic missed practice Tuesday for personal reasons.
Defensive tackle Chase Moline had epideral injections in his back to relieve pain due to a herniated disc. Moline, however, expects to play in the bowl game.
Sophomore John Hale will start at the strongside linebacker position for the Emerald Bowl. Penciled in as the #1 guy at the position after he started as a freshman last season, Hale was set back after being suspended for the first game against Utah due to a fighting incident in the off-season. Aaron Whittington has been the starter since, but Whittington has been hampered by an ankle injury.
With extra practices in bowl preparation, Head Coach Karl Dorrell has been creating a fall-camp-like environment, and many of the players have commented about the intensity of the practices. It has also given Dorrell a chance at better looks at some of the younger players, and walk-ons. Dorrell cited receiver Dominique Johnson, running back Ryen Carew, offensive linemen Jake Dean and Sean Sheller, defensive ends Jeff Miller and Reginald Stokes, and defensive tackle Andy Keane. Two walk-ons who transferred from UC Davis have also made an impact on the scout team – linebacker Josh Edwards and defensive end Tom Blake. Edwards, who is 6-1 and 230, has looked the part all season in practice. Blake was undersized coming off of high school at about 220 pounds, but is now 6-4 and 275. The inside word is that Blake, at least, will make a run at the two-deep in fall practice and next season, and that both have a chance to earn a scholarship.
Assistant coach Gary DeLoach has applied for the head coaching job at Stephen. F. Austin. Being from Texas, DeLoach would want to return to his home state.