The Rockets’ drive for a MAC West title has largely rested on the shoulders of senior quarterback Aaron Opelt. But that drive took a major turn for the worst, when Opelt limped to the Toledo sideline, clutching his throwing shoulder.

The senior quarterback was injured in the second quarter in Saturday night’s loss against Western Michigan. Opelt was hurt when he landed awkwardly on his shoulder after scrambling for seven yards. The Fremont Ross native knew something was not quite right when he got back up.

“I just came down on it wrong. I just tried to stay in and the throwing motion was really bothering me,” Opelt said. “I wanted to get it checked out so I went off, and they decided not to let me come back in.”

Freshman back up Austin replaced Opelt as the team’s signal caller for the remainder of the game, but what many Rocket fans hope is not the rest of the season.

“Aaron is our starting quarterback, and he deserves to be there,” Rockets head coach Tim Beckman said. “But our goals stay the same, and we’ll have to put it in Austin’s hands and have him take the snaps.”

But the chances of a MAC title would take a significant hit if Opelt is not able to play on Oct. 17 against Northern Illinois.

Opelt’s MRI revealed some positive results. The test revealed no breaks or tears to the shoulder in question. The injury has been classified as a bruise by the team’s doctors, and the team is taking Opelt’s injury on a day by day basis.

“It’s a wait and see kind of thing,” Beckman said, “Football is different than any other sport in that if you are not out there to practice and get yourself ready for that game on Saturday, it is tough to play. What he is able to do this week will determine what amount of playing time he gets on Saturday night.”

Opelt did practice Oct. 11 during the Rockets workout, but he did not throw.

“I am excited how far the shoulder has come in the past 48 hours,” Opelt said, “I told Coach that if there is any chance to be out on that field that I am going to be out there with my teammates. I only got six more of these games and I am not going to miss one of them.”

This week’s practice will go a long way in determining whether Opelt is ready to play.

“Well like Coach said, I need to get some practices in,” Opelt said, “I cannot go out there and not have practiced all week. My goal is to get back out there and throw maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.”

The Oct. 14 practice will go a long way in determining whether or not Opelt is ready to play Oct. 17 night in the Glass Bowl.

“Wednesday is a big day for me,” Opelt said, “That’s a day you really need to shoot for so you can get in two practices before we head to the hotel on Friday.”

Tags: Opelt, UT football

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 12:47 pm and is filed under Rocket Football, Sports.
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