Quarterback back at practice, looking to face Demons
10/27/2009 7:15:00 AM | Football
Sam Houston State quarterback Blake Joseph was back at practice Tuesday afternoon and the Bearkat coaching staff hopes to have him back in the line-up on Saturday when the Bearkats host Northwestern State.
Joseph sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Kats' 44-21 victory over Nicholls on Oct. 10. Despite having limited mobility, he played in Sam Houston State's loss to Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 17, but sat out last weekend's setback at Stephen F. Austin.
"Just talking to the doctors and stuff last week, they said I just needed to rest and it would take about three to five weeks to heal up," Joseph said. "We don't have that much time left, so I'm going to play through it. I took off last week and it feels better.
"I'm not close to 100 percent, but I am moving around a lot better and throwing the ball better. I'm able to plant on my front foot."
Joseph's return couldn't come at a better time for Sam Houston State (1-2 in SLC, 3-4 overall). The Bearkats have struggled offensively the past two games and need to rebound with a win over the Demons to have any shot at staying in the hunt for the Southland Conference championship.
Before being injured, Joseph had thrown for 1,222 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 188 yards and four scores. He did pass for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Southeastern Louisiana, but he threw three of his five interceptions on the season in the game and was held to negative yards rushing for the first time all year, mainly because he couldn't plant his injured ankle and couldn't scramble around.
In the 42-3 loss to the Lumberjacks, the Bearkats were held to a season-low 186 yards of total offense, which is 172 below their average.
"I think he is going to play and that he will be healthy," SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said. "We are certainly a different offense with him than without him. We are thankful as a staff and a team to have him. We need him to be healthy."
Joseph was in full pads Tuesday afternoon, but Whitten said the plan was to take things slow and not push the injury too much in practice. Joseph looks a lot better moving around in the pocket and his passes had more juice on Tuesday than two weeks ago.
"It's going to be business as usual for the most part, but we don't want to risk making the injury worse," the coach added. "We just need to get him some reps, so he will be sharp on Saturday. He is certainly a talented kid. We just have to get him ready."
The Bearkats also appear to be getting healthy again on the offensive line. Starting guard Travis Best was back at practice for the first time in a month after breaking his hand in the loss to Tulsa on Sept. 24. Freshman Cameron Pound has been filling in at quick guard in Best's absence.
"We are a little healthy. We have had three offensive linemen starters out for most of the year," Whitten said. "As much as the player, you also lose the leadership as well. We need him to be healthy because we need all the help we can get on the line."
Tickets to Sam Houston State football at Bowers Stadium are $25 for reserved chairback seats and $15 for general admission. Order tickets now on-line at www.gobearkats.com.
For more information about all Bearkat sports events, contact the Sam Houston State Athletic Ticket Office located in the Ron Mafrige Field Events Center at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
