Marshall University Athletics
Herd Taking A ?Wait-And-See? Approach With Leftwich
11/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Herd Taking A ?Wait-And-See? Approach With Leftwich
11/4/2002
Byron Leftwich |
Marshall University head football coach Bob Pruett said on Monday that he was going to take a wait and see attitude with the injured leg of star quarterback, and Heisman Trophy candidate, Byron Leftwich.
?He has a lower leg injury and we will just have to wait and see how he progresses,? Pruett said. ?We won?t know any more until he has had some time to rest and rehab.?
Leftwich suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Herd?s 34-20 loss at Akron on Saturday. After missing one play, a Marshall fumble the Zips returned 98 yards for a touchdown, Leftwich returned to the game for the next series, guiding the Herd on a nine-play touchdown drive.
The senior from Washington, D.C., was then taken to an area medical facility for x-rays. He did not return to the stadium until mid way through the third quarter.
What followed was one of the most incredible, and memorable, scenes in college football this season. Leftwich limped back onto the field, completed his first two passes after taking a late hit, and led Marshall to a touchdown.
During Marshall?s fourth quarter comeback attempt, Leftwich hopped around on one leg and had to be carried downfield by his linemen after several long gains.
Leftwich finished the game, having played only two quarters, 26 of 38 passing for 307 yards. He was 19 of 30 for 259 yards after being injured.
Leftwich currently stands first in the nation in total offense, averaging 375.5 yards per game. He is second nationally in passing efficiency with a 156.67 rating. He is also first in the nation in passing yards per game at 374.4.
The Thundering Herd is off today, but will begin preparations for their Mid-American Conference East Division showdown with Miami tomorrow afternoon. The Miami game is set for 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Marshall Stadium. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.