The injury to University of Cincinnati quarterback Dustin Grutza is more severe than the preliminary examination indicated.
UC coach Brian Kelly said early Monday afternoon that Grutza's recovery from the fractured right fibula he suffered in Saturday's 52-26 loss at then-No. 4 Oklahoma would involve a nonsurgical procedure unless a further exam revealed collateral issues in his ankle.
That's exactly what happened when Grutza was examined by Dr. Angelo Colosimo later in the day.
Grutza, a senior from Maysville, Ky., is now expected to undergo surgery as early as Wednesday and will likely be out of action for longer than the original estimate of four weeks.
With Grutza out, junior Tony Pike will be the Bearcats' starting quarterback, but sophomore Demetrius Jones will get an extended look from the coaching staff before UC's next game vs. Miami on Sept. 20 at Nippert Stadium.
Kelly didn't suggest that Jones might start, but this might be a good opportunity for Jones to get some playing time in the no-huddle spread offense - perhaps in the range of 10 to 12 plays per game - as the Bearcats point to next year when Jones could conceivably be the starter.
"We go into the bye week with an eye toward getting him out there and seeing if he can give us that," Kelly said. "The knowledge base is the bigger issue (with Jones) now. He's physically a lot further along. We feel like physically he can go in and compete. It's the knowledge base of the offense."
Jones, who transferred to UC from Notre Dame last year, has been working to improve his throwing motion after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. Although Jones has struggled in camp to throw the ball consistently, Kelly says he has improved in that area.
Pike, a Reading High School graduate, completed 3 of 11 passes for 21 yards and was intercepted once in relief of Grutza on Saturday. He has never started a game at UC.
Last year, Pike played in five games as a reserve and completed 11 passes in 20 attempts for 91 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Against Eastern Kentucky in UC's season opener two weeks ago, he was 5-for-7 for 52 yards.
Meanwhile, former UC quarterback Ben Mauk awaits a decision from Hardin County (Ohio) Common Pleas Judge William Hart on Mauk's request for a permanent injunction that would keep the NCAA from preventing Mauk from playing this season.
That decision could come as early as today.
The NCAA has ruled five times that Mauk is not entitled to a sixth year to complete his four years of college eligibility.
Kelly, who has closed practice this week with no media access to his players, was still coming to grips Monday with the most lopsided loss of his brief UC career.
One thing he learned is that his defense, which is thought to be one of the Bearcats' strengths, needs to be more physical.
"You can't run sideline to sideline and just be fast," Kelly said. "You've got to come downhill. You've got to tackle and hit people. We've got to be more physical on defense."
UC, which received 35 votes in the poll last week, did not receive a single vote this week.
UC coach Brian Kelly said early Monday afternoon that Grutza's recovery from the fractured right fibula he suffered in Saturday's 52-26 loss at then-No. 4 Oklahoma would involve a nonsurgical procedure unless a further exam revealed collateral issues in his ankle.
That's exactly what happened when Grutza was examined by Dr. Angelo Colosimo later in the day.
Grutza, a senior from Maysville, Ky., is now expected to undergo surgery as early as Wednesday and will likely be out of action for longer than the original estimate of four weeks.
With Grutza out, junior Tony Pike will be the Bearcats' starting quarterback, but sophomore Demetrius Jones will get an extended look from the coaching staff before UC's next game vs. Miami on Sept. 20 at Nippert Stadium.
Kelly didn't suggest that Jones might start, but this might be a good opportunity for Jones to get some playing time in the no-huddle spread offense - perhaps in the range of 10 to 12 plays per game - as the Bearcats point to next year when Jones could conceivably be the starter.
"We go into the bye week with an eye toward getting him out there and seeing if he can give us that," Kelly said. "The knowledge base is the bigger issue (with Jones) now. He's physically a lot further along. We feel like physically he can go in and compete. It's the knowledge base of the offense."
Jones, who transferred to UC from Notre Dame last year, has been working to improve his throwing motion after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. Although Jones has struggled in camp to throw the ball consistently, Kelly says he has improved in that area.
Pike, a Reading High School graduate, completed 3 of 11 passes for 21 yards and was intercepted once in relief of Grutza on Saturday. He has never started a game at UC.
Last year, Pike played in five games as a reserve and completed 11 passes in 20 attempts for 91 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Against Eastern Kentucky in UC's season opener two weeks ago, he was 5-for-7 for 52 yards.
Meanwhile, former UC quarterback Ben Mauk awaits a decision from Hardin County (Ohio) Common Pleas Judge William Hart on Mauk's request for a permanent injunction that would keep the NCAA from preventing Mauk from playing this season.
That decision could come as early as today.
The NCAA has ruled five times that Mauk is not entitled to a sixth year to complete his four years of college eligibility.
Kelly, who has closed practice this week with no media access to his players, was still coming to grips Monday with the most lopsided loss of his brief UC career.
One thing he learned is that his defense, which is thought to be one of the Bearcats' strengths, needs to be more physical.
"You can't run sideline to sideline and just be fast," Kelly said. "You've got to come downhill. You've got to tackle and hit people. We've got to be more physical on defense."
UC, which received 35 votes in the poll last week, did not receive a single vote this week.
