CFB report: Utah loses Devontae Booker for the season
Booker has a smooth gliding style and possesses sensational vision. He’s a polished jump-cut runner who darts through traffic. He had knee surgery following Game 10 of the 2015 season so his medical history might drop him a round or two.
Utah has lost its best weapon for Saturday’s game against UCLA, when running back Devontae Booker underwent season-ending knee surgery Thursday.
Booker is a workhorse whose 268 carries leads the nation. He had 1,261 yards rushing, third in the Pac-12 Conference.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the No.13 Utes, who are tied with USC for first place in the Pac-12 South. Both teams are one game ahead of UCLA.
Booker had 156 yards in 33 carries in a 30-28 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl last season.
Joe Williams is expected to handle most of Booker’s duties. He has 78 yards this season, 50 coming after Booker was injured against Arizona last week. Bubba Poole, a running back moved to receiver this year, could also be an option. He started five games at running back last season.
UCLA is giving up an average of 198 yards rushing per game in Pac-12 play.
—Chris Foster
Etc.
With Houston Coach Tom Herman attracting interest from other schools after a 10-0 start, the school has given him a $3-million-a-year raise to $4.35 million a year. ... Mississippi senior linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche has been hospitalized for an undisclosed reason and will not play Saturday against Louisiana State. The family released a statement saying that his condition “has improved as of today” and is “not life-threatening,” but he will remain in the hospital. ... Duke has upgraded quarterback Thomas Sirk to probable for this week’s game at Virginia. Sirk was in uniform but was held out of last week’s 31-13 loss to Pittsburgh with an unspecified upper-body injury suffered in a loss to North Carolina one week earlier. ... North Carolina State announced increased security precautions for its final two games against Syracuse and North Carolina. ... Clemson linebacker Shaq Lawson and Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland are among the five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s best defensive player. Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib, Duke safety Jeremy Cash and Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich are the other finalists.
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