Happy Tuesday. As always we roll forward with our Tuesday links. A lot of today’s content is getting you caught up on some injuries around the conference, also a look at UNLV’s basketball squad as they begin practicing.
Broken hand could lead to extended time missed for SDSU WR
Aztecs starting WR Elijah Kothe suffered a broken hand against Utah State this past weekend. The Las Vegas native is expected to be unable to catch passes for 4 weeks and it could be longer before he is healthy enough to return to his starting WR role. Kothe has still participated in other drills using his healthy (left) hand. Coach Rocky Long still plans to deploy Kothe on special teams because of his tackling ability, although his right hand will be heavily bandaged. He ranks third on the team with 10 receptions for 95 yards. The Aztecs, who haven’t been the most successful team in the passing game this year, will be without a starting WR for the foreseeable future.
UNLV starts practicing
Coach TJ Otzelberger starts his quest to improve the UNLV basketball program. One big question is how quickly will this new squad be able to establish their identity? Otzelberger will look to transition his new players to the system he ran at South Dakota State, a team that shot over 40% from deep last season, Otzelberger is committed to, and believes in the analytics that favor the three ball. Another pressing question is whether Utah transfer Donnie Tillman will be eligible to play. Tillman was the Pac 12 sixth man of the year and would be a huge boost for the Rebels, the NCAA has been more lenient in allowing transfers to play. Getting Tillman eligible might not be be a major offseason success as him playing this season wouldn’t make the Rebels contenders and Tillman could bounce for a professional career after only one season.
Wyoming’s long injury list
The Cowboys saw four starters leave Saturday’s game with injuries and without returning while the backfield was also banged up. One of the biggest losses was Trey Smith who is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with an ankle injury. Right guard Logan Harris suffered a particularly scary injury, after taking a blow to the head in the third quarter, he ended up being taken out of the stadium in an ambulance and will be dealing with a concussion going forward. Also injured was RT Alonzo Velasquez who will get an MRI to determine the severity of his knee injury. CB Tyler hall also suffered a concussion on a kickoff return but coach Bohl hopes he will be available for the next game. The Cowboys are obviously thin at many positions since so many key players are dealing with injuries, it will have to be the next man up mentality for the Cowboys as they press on into conference play.
How bout them Spartans
Get your first win vs an SEC team ➡️ Get named National Team of the Week#SpartanUp | #AtThePeak pic.twitter.com/NMBMCHBHsT
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 23, 2019
Players of the week
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 23, 2019
32-49
402 Yds
2 TD
Helped lead @SanJoseStateFB to a win vs the SEC.
Congrats to our Offensive Peak Player of the Week, @Josh12Love! #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/3SrnnudOe7
☑️ 7 Tackles
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) September 23, 2019
☑️ 2 Int
☑️ @SanJoseStateFB win over Arkansas
@SpeakLydell is our Defensive Peak Player of the Week! #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/h9OeSga5ID
On the horizon:
- Later Today: Howling With the Lobos: New Mexico State Game Takeaways
- Later Today: MWC Week Four Outcomes & Game of the Week
- Later Today: SDSU Drops First Game of the Season to Utah State
- Later Today: Film Study: Utah State’s defense shines against San Diego State
- Later Today: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Week 4
- Coming Wednesday: Week 5 Bowl Projections
- Coming Wednesday: Peak Perspective: How to Compete in the Mountain West