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SMU safety Dennis out for season

SMU suffered a serious setback Wednesday morning when strong safety Rock Dennis, a projected starter, broke his left shoulder in practice. He will undergo surgery and be out for the year.

Dennis came to SMU for the spring semester after transferring from Garden City Community College (Kan.). He was being counted on to strengthen a secondary that struggled in 2006.

“As I told him, you’ve just got to go on,” Bennett said. “We all get down about it. He’s worked hard, but he’s not going to be playing. It’s a lick. It’s a hit for us without any question.”

Bennett said Bryce Hudman, the other starting safety, would probably move back to strong safety and junior David Haynes, sophomore cornerback Bryan McCann, freshman De’Von Bailey and redshirt freshman Tyler Jones would be in the mix for playing time at safety.

Bennett said Dennis was injured after a collision.
“He got his feet twisted, stuck his arm out, fell down and broke his shoulder,” Bennett said. “This was freak. It was bad luck.”

SMU is already banged up on defense. Cory Muse, the only returning starter to the defensive line, missed practice again Wednesday with a pulled groin. Patrick Handy, the other projected starting end, missed with a stinger. Defensive tackle Charlie Berry returned to practice after suffering a neck strain.

Redshirt freshman Kyle DeGroat, a defensive lineman out of Carter High, will miss the season and require surgery after breaking his fibula in Tuesday’s practice.



What a terrible week for SMU.

anybody know whether Dennis has 3 to play 2?

No, but I know that DeVon Bailey isn't redshirting for sure now.

i was waiting for a post like this

lpray no one else gets hurt

good luck rock - see you next year

Back to shoulder pads and shorts.

that's great raplh wrote:i was waiting for a post like this

lpray no one else gets hurt

good luck rock - see you next year

Well of course, I feel the same way, but just stating the obvious.

If they can get through scrimmage sat dont want to lose any more key players.

you know who might make an interesting SS is that Julian Herron kid. Has the height 6-0 size 205 and incredible speed at about 4.32 by some unverified reports. I think Bennett wants him as yet another small LB but he might be worth a look. I hate to see McCann move because he seems more like a CB but I understand that what depth SMU has is now at CB so a move from that position to FS might be necessary to get the best athletes on the field.

This is not good. These are the kind of events that preceded the 44-0 debacle at TCU. Injury. Injury. Injury.

Let's go DeVon.

Put some water back in the glass. At least it happened now while there is time to adjust. Week before the game or early in the season would have been worse. Nothing can be done but replace him with the best we have and move forward. This will happen to most every team in the country. Overcoming it is what makes you successful.

I haven't heard any mention of Derrius Bell. Wasn't he SMU's ESPN Top 150 recruit? He's much smaller than Bailey at 5'9 and 160, is he set in stone for redshirt? Will he be pressed into service to allow McCann or Bailey to move to safety?

well he was mentioned by Bennett as one of 3 Freshman who might be fighting for playing time. I think part of the reason SMU would consider moving McCann is the experience at CB and Bell would play into that depth as well. Hey its a good thing we got some good kids down that late stretch because guys like Bell, Bailey and Herron give you options. I agree its absolutely no excuse-you can go onto any message board in Texas and find the same kind of injuries and defections. That's why you recruit 85 and not 22. TCU annually loses a QB and RB and they keep on ticking. I know UH has lost two starters in two very good starters in Stephen James and Sir Vincent Rogers.

Not that misery loves company but mrydel is right.

Just look at this:
1. The University of Pittsburgh lost its top WR with a torn ACL.
2. The University of Arkansas lost its top WR with a knee injury. They're hoping to get him back in late September.
3. I think Florida State lost a secondary player with an injury.
4. Texas lost backup QB Sherrod Harris with a torn MCL. Who knows when he will be back and WR Limas Sweed got hurt.

So it happens. We have to suck it up and deal with it.

[quote="Stallion"]anybody know whether Dennis has 3 to play 2?[/quote]................Wouldn't Dennis be able to get a medical redshirt ?

yes but you really don't get a medical redshirt until you are a Senior and have to appjy then I believe.

Other injuries-Tulsa lost their starting RB and Marshall lost the consensus CUSA Defensive Player of the Year.