interestingly enough the line is dropping tonight on ohio state even with this news...maybe set too high?...sandwich game vs a pretty good swarming defense??...what do you read in too it?...maybe not that much of a drop-off?
------
Transfer Dlugolecki to start at Ohio State
September 1, 2003
San Diego State quarterback Adam Hall's high ankle sprain suffered early in Saturday's 19-9 victory over Eastern Washington will keep the senior out at least three weeks and perhaps as long as six.
The confirmation came yesterday, and with a day to have absorbed the bad news and defending national champion Ohio State to prepare for, SDSU put the best face on the setback and moved on.
"Matt Dlugolecki did a great job for his first game ever playing college football," coach Tom Craft said of the sophomore who will step in for Hall. "Matt has the same type of ability Adam Hall has. Matt might have a stronger arm than Adam. For Matt, his biggest obstacle is experience and being under the gun."
Dlugolecki, who played for the first time in almost three years Saturday after redshirting his first season at Illinois and sitting out last season after transferring, will certainly be under the gun Saturday.
He will be playing in front of some 105,000 people at No. 2 Ohio State.
He has been to the Horseshoe in Columbus before, having made the trip with the Illini in 2001. But this time it will be his name the crowd will be making fun of and his performance they'll be looking to mock.
"I'm a real mellow guy," Dlugolecki said in an understatement akin to calling Ohio State's defense sort of good. "That butterfly thing, I don't get that. I was nervous (against Eastern Washington), but . . . "
But he did all right, completing 11-of-19 passes for 97 yards in just over one half of work. He acknowledged that a few of his off-target throws were because of nerves, but he gradually grew accustomed to the flow of the game.
"After (Saturday), I feel a lot more comfortable," he said. "At the end I was like, 'I wish I had another quarter.' "
Craft ? who will choose between junior college transfer Tanner Engstrand and sophomore Kevin Pierce as the new backup quarterback ? will look to accelerate in practice Dlugolecki's learning curve in terms of pressure. Dlugolecki will face a lot of rushes while taking about 70 percent of the snaps.
Craft began to talk two weeks ago about feeling more comfortable with Dlugolecki, who had a good final scrimmage and began to show an understanding of Craft's offense.
"As far as attacking a defense, I feel just as comfortable with Matt as I do with Adam," Craft said. "Matt has the potential. We thought that when we brought him here."
Hall, too, was focusing yesterday on the positive possibilities, though as he stood on crutches with a large protective boot on his left ankle, he was clearly dejected.
The Aztecs should have a better idea after Hall has an MRI done tomorrow whether he will be back for the start of Mountain West Conference play Oct. 4 against Brigham Young.
Hall is known for his pain tolerance. He played with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder last season, and willed himself to play four series in severe pain Saturday after the initial injury. Only after aggravating the ankle twice, he said, did he take himself out of the game.
"I was really hesitant about putting him back in," Craft said. "I know how tough he is and his willingness (to play hurt) . . . For his good will and the type of person he is psychologically, I let him go back in. He was real passionate about wanting to stay in. (After a while), it was pretty obvious to him he couldn't do it. He's almost someone you have to prove it to him he can't do it for him to believe you."
For that reason, there might be concern Hall will rush back. Craft acknowledged the likelihood that Hall will return as soon as he possibly can tolerate the pain. The coach said he will trust Hall's judgment, and the quarterback vowed to err on the side of caution.
"I'll listen to the trainers and team doctors, get lots of treatment and get back as quickly as I can," Hall said. "I'll be back for conference, for sure. I'd like to come back and play in a couple of nonconference games too, but Matt will be fine."
