Bill Belton’s Status in Doubt For Saturday

Bill Belton may not be available this weekend. photo by Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

Sophomore starting running back Bill Belton was lost on Saturday during the game against Ohio with a sprained ankle. That sprain has apparently not healed.

During the media session of practice on Wednesday, Belton was nowhere to be seen. Backup running back Derek Day, who rushed eight times for 36 yards last week, took the majority of the first team reps in Belton’s absense. Fullback-turned-running back Zach Zwinak was seen working with the second string during practice.

Many were surprised that neither Curtis Dukes or freshman standout Akeel Lynch made it into the game against the Bobcats, but their absence may not last much longer. It’s hard to fathom a game plan that involved only Day and Zwinak as the ball carriers for an offense that struggled to put up points in week one. It may be time to unveil the freshman in hopes for a spark from a kid that has home run ability.

More concerning was the pass to run ratio last week (48, 22) which Bill O’Brien has pledged to even out. If there’s one thing that is difficult to do, it’s increasing the amount of rushes without your starting running back in uniform.

Cornerback Stephon Morris, who also suffered an ankle injury last week, was dressed today.

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