As Fresno State plugs along with another win and an all-around solid performance, the line to the infirmary on the practice-field sideline grows.
Will the injuries start catching up to the 2-0 Bulldogs?
Fresno State thumped Utah State 41-24 on Saturday despite the absence of two of its better playmakers and its top offensive lineman.
If the number of players who sat out Sunday's light practice was any indication, the Bulldogs could be missing as many five starters going into this week's game at Mississippi.
Receiver Devon Wylie and guard Andrew Jackson were both on the sideline and in crutches. Safety Lorne Bell showed up with his left arm in a sling.
Receiver Rashad Evans walked around gingerly while watching practice from afar. And running back Robbie Rouse participated in running drills but has yet to test his injuries in a contact situation for two weeks.
Combined, that is 121 games of experience the Bulldogs might not have.
"You hate losing good players," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "Our young guys are stepping up, and we're going to have to have some more. ... We might have some new substitutions for this game."
Hill said Wylie and Jackson would not play this week. Hill added he wasn't sure about the other players' availability.
Wylie, a senior, remains out indefinitely with a foot injury that required surgery last week. He said he might be ready in four weeks.
Jackson, a senior, suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first drive against Utah State and never returned. He is considered week to week.
Meanwhile, Evans and Bell each said they would be able to play against Ole Miss.
Evans, a sophomore, tweaked his left hamstring toward the end of the third quarter against Utah State. Bell, a senior, injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter during Utah State's second-to-last possession.
"It's kind of precautionary," said Evans, who suffered a hamstring injury early last year that led him to redshirt the season. "I'll be good, though. It's just a little sore right now. But I should be able to go."
Added Bell: "The shoulder came out then it came back in. But the way it's feeling right now, I should be able to go Saturday. I've got a good range of motion already. We'll see the way it progresses."
The Bulldogs don't practice today but will hold a full-contact practice Tuesday, which might be huge in determining Rouse's availability.
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back has not participated in contact drills for two weeks since injuring his shoulder in the season-opener against Cincinnati. He also has been dealing with a sprained ankle.
Rouse said his ankle feels fine now, as does his shoulder.
"Trainers said I looked good and I was able to run better today," Rouse said. "It just depends how I take on the hits. If I can take the contact, I'm definitely playing."
Fresno State, however, has found more than capable replacements so far.
In Rouse's absence, sophomore A.J. Ellis broke out for three touchdowns and 165 rushing yards against Utah State in his starting debut.
Junior Leslie Cooper was praised for filling in for Jackson at right guard. The offensive line allowed Fresno State to gain 5.2 yards a carry and surrendered just one sack.
Redshirt freshman A.J. Johnson got the start in Wylie's place and true freshman Jalen Saunders also saw his playing time increase.
Johnson had two catches for 25 yards. Saunders had two catches for 14 yards, along with two punt returns that averaged 13 yards and five kick returns that averaged 22 yards.
Bell's substitute was true freshman Derron Smith, who made three tackles (two solo).
Through the injuries, the Bulldogs continue to show that they can keep performing at a high level.
The 41 points that the Bulldogs offense churned out was the 16th most in the nation last week. The offense also was 7 for 7 in redzone opportunities, five of which went for touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense forced Utah State to go three-and-out on seven of 13 possessions and limited the Aggies to 121 total yards in the second half.
Will the injuries start catching up to the 2-0 Bulldogs?
Fresno State thumped Utah State 41-24 on Saturday despite the absence of two of its better playmakers and its top offensive lineman.
If the number of players who sat out Sunday's light practice was any indication, the Bulldogs could be missing as many five starters going into this week's game at Mississippi.
Receiver Devon Wylie and guard Andrew Jackson were both on the sideline and in crutches. Safety Lorne Bell showed up with his left arm in a sling.
Receiver Rashad Evans walked around gingerly while watching practice from afar. And running back Robbie Rouse participated in running drills but has yet to test his injuries in a contact situation for two weeks.
Combined, that is 121 games of experience the Bulldogs might not have.
"You hate losing good players," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "Our young guys are stepping up, and we're going to have to have some more. ... We might have some new substitutions for this game."
Hill said Wylie and Jackson would not play this week. Hill added he wasn't sure about the other players' availability.
Wylie, a senior, remains out indefinitely with a foot injury that required surgery last week. He said he might be ready in four weeks.
Jackson, a senior, suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first drive against Utah State and never returned. He is considered week to week.
Meanwhile, Evans and Bell each said they would be able to play against Ole Miss.
Evans, a sophomore, tweaked his left hamstring toward the end of the third quarter against Utah State. Bell, a senior, injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter during Utah State's second-to-last possession.
"It's kind of precautionary," said Evans, who suffered a hamstring injury early last year that led him to redshirt the season. "I'll be good, though. It's just a little sore right now. But I should be able to go."
Added Bell: "The shoulder came out then it came back in. But the way it's feeling right now, I should be able to go Saturday. I've got a good range of motion already. We'll see the way it progresses."
The Bulldogs don't practice today but will hold a full-contact practice Tuesday, which might be huge in determining Rouse's availability.
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back has not participated in contact drills for two weeks since injuring his shoulder in the season-opener against Cincinnati. He also has been dealing with a sprained ankle.
Rouse said his ankle feels fine now, as does his shoulder.
"Trainers said I looked good and I was able to run better today," Rouse said. "It just depends how I take on the hits. If I can take the contact, I'm definitely playing."
Fresno State, however, has found more than capable replacements so far.
In Rouse's absence, sophomore A.J. Ellis broke out for three touchdowns and 165 rushing yards against Utah State in his starting debut.
Junior Leslie Cooper was praised for filling in for Jackson at right guard. The offensive line allowed Fresno State to gain 5.2 yards a carry and surrendered just one sack.
Redshirt freshman A.J. Johnson got the start in Wylie's place and true freshman Jalen Saunders also saw his playing time increase.
Johnson had two catches for 25 yards. Saunders had two catches for 14 yards, along with two punt returns that averaged 13 yards and five kick returns that averaged 22 yards.
Bell's substitute was true freshman Derron Smith, who made three tackles (two solo).
Through the injuries, the Bulldogs continue to show that they can keep performing at a high level.
The 41 points that the Bulldogs offense churned out was the 16th most in the nation last week. The offense also was 7 for 7 in redzone opportunities, five of which went for touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense forced Utah State to go three-and-out on seven of 13 possessions and limited the Aggies to 121 total yards in the second half.
