Senior left guard Paul Johnson will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee today, after re-injuring it in the Bobcats' game against Virginia Tech Sept. 15.
Johnson's start against the Hokies was just his second of the year after he suffered a grade II MCL tear in his knee in fall camp, which caused him to miss the season opener. One of the Bobcats' anchors on the offensive line, Johnson sat out a bulk of the 2005 season because of an ankle injury and then was suspended for off-field legal troubles in 2006.
But the loss of Johnson is only the beginning of the Bobcats injury troubles at left guard. Utility lineman Mike Eynon, who filled in for Johnson at the beginning of the year, has been out with a knee injury of his own since the season opener against Gardner-Webb and remains questionable for Saturday's game against Kent State.
Dathan Ferrainolo, Ohio's third-string left guard, started against Wyoming but left in the second half with an undisclosed injury. If Ferrainolo and Eynon are unable to start against the Golden Flashes, it may be up to David White to take the spot at left guard.
I've had a lot of experience playing left guard. Last season I played left guard and I've been taking reps at guard all season long
along with playing center White said. I'll be ready to contribute at both and not be a liability at either position.
Coach Frank Solich said that White may be needed at center, depending on the health of starter Tommy Stuck.We're starting to run out of guys to work in Solich said. (Stuck) was a little banged up and it may cause us to make some moves
in which case you're concerned a little bit about that because we keep getting deeper and deeper in to our depth on the offensive line.
Solich didn't elaborate on the status of several defensive players who exited this past week's game against Wyoming. Nose guard Brett Sykes left the game with a leg contusion, and safety Todd Koenig and linebacker Jordan Meyers also exited after getting banged up.
We very likely could have two to three guys not be ready by the end of this week
Solich said. This is as banged up as we've been all year and maybe in awhile.
Kicker takes award Michael Braunstein's four field goals against Wyoming set an Ohio single-game record and earned the kicker Mid-American Conference East Division Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
It's obvious that he excels under pressure and looks forward to those opportunities, Solich said. He's got that kind of personality, very outgoing, very relaxed, very confident type of individual and I think that really adds up to a guy being a good kicker.
Braunstein
who is 7-of-7 on field goal attempts in 2007
extended his streak to 15 straight field goals made
dating back to last season when he was at Washington. In addition to the senior transfer's field goals of 42
27
27 and 30 yards
Braunstein added three extra points to score 15 of Ohio's points in the Bobcats' 34-33 loss to the Cowboys Saturday.
I'd rather kick extra points every time and lead the nation in extra points, said Braunstein
