Spring Break
Pirates trying to get back on track
Pirates looking for second win against Cavaliers
Ron Clements
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Sports
Coming off an open date with more people missing practice than the previous week is not how Skip Holtz wanted to begin his week of preparation for ECU's date with Virginia on Saturday.
A flu bug swept through the ECU football team over the weekend, keeping 11 players out of practice Sunday night and a handful of players still out with nagging injuries.
"I have a couple of concerns on the injury front," said Holtz. "I was hoping with the off date we would have the opportunity to get some people back again. We still have a number of players that are sidelined with injuries. We are not sure if they are questionable, doubtful or day-to-day. We are going to have to see as we go along."
A few starters with nagging problems highlight the injury report. Chris Johnson (turf toe), Aundrae Allison (ankle), Brandon Setzer (knee) and Shauntae Hunt (knee) could all miss Saturday's game with the Cavaliers.
"We're not sure yet," Running Backs Coach Junior Smith said about whether or not Johnson will be able to play Saturday. "He's kind of day-to-day. It's depends on how he does (today)."
Should Johnson, who leads the Pirates with 190 yards rushing and three touchdowns, not be able to go, Holtz said they have a "healthy competition" going at tailback.
"It's unfortunate Chris Johnson hasn't been able to practice during this open date, but Brandon Fractious has done a lot of good work," Holtz said. "With Dominique Lindsay out, a guy like Brandon Simmons may have a chance to play a little bit more of that roll for us. He's a bigger and more physical back. We miss that big, physical back. He's breaking tackles. He's not a guy that anyone really knows right now, but I think due to the injuries to our running backs, this is what we are down to at this point and he will definitely play on Saturday."
Fractious said he's ready to fill the possible void.
"If the opportunity comes, it's time to step up," said Fractious, who is second on the team with 86 yards on the ground.
A flu bug swept through the ECU football team over the weekend, keeping 11 players out of practice Sunday night and a handful of players still out with nagging injuries.
"I have a couple of concerns on the injury front," said Holtz. "I was hoping with the off date we would have the opportunity to get some people back again. We still have a number of players that are sidelined with injuries. We are not sure if they are questionable, doubtful or day-to-day. We are going to have to see as we go along."
A few starters with nagging problems highlight the injury report. Chris Johnson (turf toe), Aundrae Allison (ankle), Brandon Setzer (knee) and Shauntae Hunt (knee) could all miss Saturday's game with the Cavaliers.
"We're not sure yet," Running Backs Coach Junior Smith said about whether or not Johnson will be able to play Saturday. "He's kind of day-to-day. It's depends on how he does (today)."
Should Johnson, who leads the Pirates with 190 yards rushing and three touchdowns, not be able to go, Holtz said they have a "healthy competition" going at tailback.
"It's unfortunate Chris Johnson hasn't been able to practice during this open date, but Brandon Fractious has done a lot of good work," Holtz said. "With Dominique Lindsay out, a guy like Brandon Simmons may have a chance to play a little bit more of that roll for us. He's a bigger and more physical back. We miss that big, physical back. He's breaking tackles. He's not a guy that anyone really knows right now, but I think due to the injuries to our running backs, this is what we are down to at this point and he will definitely play on Saturday."
Fractious said he's ready to fill the possible void.
"If the opportunity comes, it's time to step up," said Fractious, who is second on the team with 86 yards on the ground.
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