Sterling Moore hopes to play again in 2009

[PonyPride]

Everyone in Ford Stadium new something was wrong - perhaps seriously wrong - when junior SMU cornerback Sterling Moore crumpled to the ground in the north end zone during the first half of SMU's victory over UTEP. Immediately after knocking away a would-be touchdown pass, the JUCO transfer rolled over to look at the SMU bench, beckoning the training staff for medical assistance.

"I turned back (toward the quarterback) and tried to jump at the same time," Moore told PonyFans.com Monday. "My (left) leg got caught in the turf and I hyperextended it, and the kneecap popped out.

"I knew I had hyper extended it, and when I looked down, I saw my kneecap on the side of my knee. They were able to slide it back into place, but said I needed an MRI because it's possible I did something to my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), too."

SMU head coach said after Saturday's game that he was "heartbroken" over Moore's injury, and said that while nothing would be official until after the MRI - which Moore said he hopes to have done Monday afternoon - the injury looked serious, and he (Jones) sounded doubtful Moore would play again this season. Junior Bennie Thomas stepped in Moore's spot in the lineup.

Moore, who said he never has had to endure an injury anywhere near as serious as this, heard his teammates as they leaned the SMU medical staff, offering words of encouragement.

"They just said to stay strong, and said they were there for me," Moore said. "I didn't hear too much more than that, because I was in so much pain."

After retreating to the training room to have his knee looked at, Moore returned to the field, armed with a diagnosis - the dislocated kneecap, and possibly more - and a huge brace around his left leg. He watched the remainer of the first half while stretched out on the trainers' table on the sideline. After the intermission, he stood on the sideline with the aid of crutches, watching his teammates finish off the Miners.

"I could see a little of the field, but I watched most of it on the (video board)," he said. "In the second half, I had to be up on the sideline."

While the injury is serious, Moore said that if the MRI doesn't reveal a ligament tear, he hopes to return to the field this year, a thought that seemed unlikely to those who saw him unable to apply any weight to his left leg when he was helped from the field.

"If nothing's torn, I want to come back," he said. "If it's partially torn, I don't know what that means. I don't know if you can play on a partially torn ACL. But they were feeling around the ACL (Sunday), and they said it seemed kind of stable, so that's what I'm hoping - that I did the kneecap, and that's it."

With two games remaining on the schedule, the Mustangs are in first place in Conference USA's West Division, and control their own destiny in terms of earning a spot in the C-USA championship game and getting a bowl bid. Should those events take place, and there is no ligament tear in Moore's knee, he plans to be back to join his teammates as SMU plays in its first bowl game in 25 years.

"It's not too painful today - just swollen and weak," Moore said. "But if there's no tear, I want to be back for the conference championship game.

"If not that, definitely for our bowl game."

[smuuth]

Sterling's tough play from the time he stepped foot on campus helped change this defense from patsies to winners! Good luck on a quick recovery.

[davidpaul123]

I hope he has a quick recovery. This kid has been huge for us this year!

[The PonyGrad]

Thanks for the story. Best wishes to Sterling on his recovery.

[GeorgiaMustang]

That really was a nice play he made when he got hurt. I hope he can get back out there. I'd rather the trainers and coaches be cautious with his knee though. No sense in taking unnecessary risks. Get better soon Sterling! We need you out there knocking down passes and shutting down receivers.

[Vitale]

Great job on the story. Thanks for the report.

Sterling: your play and toughness are admirable, and have been a big boost to the team this season. We can't wait for you to get back, but be careful with your knee - we need you healthy next year, for our SECOND STRAIGHT BOWL.

[that's great raplh]

sterling - heal up quick!

[HorsePower]

GeorgiaMustang is right - it's amazing that while hurting his knee, Moore still made the play.
He's a tough guy, and talented. Best of luck for a complete recovery.

[mustangbill67]

Understand he was to have a MRI yesterday afternoon. Anyone heard what were the results?

[Harry0569]

According to the Daily Campus, Moore is out for the season, but I sometimes question the validity of the DC.

[PonyPride]

According to the Daily Campus, Moore is out for the season, but I sometimes question the validity of the DC.

Not true - no such determination has been made. Moore, who head coach June Jones said Tuesday morning has been the team's "most consistent defensive player" this season, was unable to get his MRI scheduled for Monday afternoon, so the extent of his injury is not yet known. As of this morning, the plan was to try to get Moore in for his MRI this afternoon, after which a determination of the severity of his injury and a prognosis for his return can be made.

[Harry0569]

And that is why I trust you a heck of a lot more than the DC. Thanks Pony Pride, I hope Sterling can come back this year. He is an integral part of our defense.

[mrydel]

Sterling's mother posted a very nice note on the Scout site for those with a subscription. It sure makes me proud not only to have good players and good young men on the team but it also seems we have "recruited" some high quality parents from hearing from those that are brave enough to post on the various sites. Between the Bells, Mrs. H (she remains in the family in my mind), the Lines' from Michigan, we have a fine stable of breeders that have produced some high quality Mustangs.

[smupony]

Sterling's mother posted a very nice note on the Scout site for those with a subscription. It sure makes me proud not only to have good players and good young men on the team but it also seems we have "recruited" some high quality parents from hearing from those that are brave enough to post on the various sites. Between the Bells, Mrs. H (she remains in the family in my mind), the Lines' from Michigan, we have a fine stable of breeders that have produced some high quality Mustangs.

Did she report on his MRI? Will we see him playing again this year?

[ALEX LIFESON]

Get well Sterling!