STERLING MOORE: will he play?

[PonyPride]

Moore: I'm going to play
Barring setback, junior CB expects to suit up in Hawaii Bowl

When cornerback Sterling Moore went down with a dislocated kneecap in SMU's victory over UTEP, many feared the worst, that his season was over. Even after he began light running during' practice in Dallas before the Mustangs flew to Honolulu, the optimism was guarded, at best.

Even as late as Sunday, when the team held its first practice in Honolulu's Aloha Stadium, SMU head coach June Jones said he didn't know if Moore would play, saying the coaching staff, Moore and the team's medical staff would "make a decision on game day."

Moore's left knee swelled up after Monday's practice, but he was able to return to the field Tuesday. After practice, he told PonyFans.com that he fully expects to play Thursday against Nevada in the Ponies' first bowl game in 25 years.

"I guarantee you, 100 percent, I'm playing," Moore said, before couching his statement slightly to allow for medical obstacles. "If nothing (negative) happens over the next two days, then it's 100 percent — I'm playing."

The injury is different from some knee injuries, in that once he returned to the field, Moore didn't lose his speed or explosiveness. Instead, he said, the hardest part of his rehabilitation has been recovering his stamina.

"The worst (part) has been not running for (most of) the past month, so I get tired," Moore said. "At first, when I got back out there, I was a little skeptical (of how the knee would respond). Now, it's second nature again. After a while, your body just takes over."

Moore said his knee will not limit what he can do, although the coaches might modify his role by limiting his special teams duties, and said the doctors will monitor the strength and pain level in his knee throughout the game.

The decision to play, Moore said, was made only after Moore was fully cleared. Had he been cleared to do only part of the team's drills in practice, playing Thursday would not have been considered. Moore added that he would have the knee drained at least once before kickoff to reduce swelling.

"If I was going to need surgery, I could do that and be ready next year," he said. "But I'm cleared to play. If I play, and something happens, I can get it fixed and still be ready for next season."

[davidpaul123]

This guy has been everything and then some. I'm really happy he is going to get to play in the bowl. The juco kids have done a very nice job this year.

[HorsePower]

Moore sounds like a tough young man.
Hope he plays pain-free .... and plays the game of his life.
Nice job getting this first.

[Pony Fan]

What does June say?

[SMUSA2013]

we will need him, our defense was not the same without him after UTEP

[that's great raplh]

dpn't play

[expony18]

if the doctors say he's good to go, let him play... he would be a huge help stopping their QB