USU linebacker Ah You out for season
When it rains, it pours, and right now, it’s pouring. Less than a week away from the start of the 2010 college football season, USU was dealt another setback this past week, as it learned that senior linebacker Matt Ah You will miss the season after suffering a shoulder injury in practice. According to USU coach Gary Andersen, the decision was made with more than just Ah You’s football future in mind.
“The doctors have done everything that could be done, but the bottom line is we wanted him to have a shoulder that would allow him to throw a ball with his kid,” Andersen said. “We did not want to put him in a position that would hamper him the rest of his life.”
Ah You’s career comes to an end after a long, injury-prone career. He originally played for Brigham Young University, even starting all 13 games for the Cougars during 2008. Following his 50-tackle performance that season, Ah You transferred to Central Washington, but played in only one game before suffering a season-ending injury. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and came to USU amidst high expectations, but had been hampered for much of fall camp with a shoulder injury. While he was not a starter, Ah You was expected to supplement junior Kyle Gallagher at middle linebacker.
His injury hurts the Aggies, but Andersen has moved quickly to address the loss. He plans to use former safeties Joey Schrader and Gavin Jones as linebackers, and has moved cornerback Quinton Byrd to safety. Andersen said he has confidence in the athletic and intelligent players to make the grade at their new positions, although he said that both Jones and Schrader will have to play bigger than their size.
“Those are two guys that are 205 pounds right now. Hopefully they are eating as we speak to keep them moving in the right direction,” Andersen said.
“That will help solidify the position. They are both smart kids. They haven’t played a lot of linebacker but our scheme will protect them a little bit.”
USU opens the season this Saturday in Norman, Okla. against the seventh-ranked Sooners. USU students are invited to view the game in the Fieldhouse at 5 p.m.
– adamnettina@gmail.com