North Dakota State dropped to 17th in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision top 25 coaches poll. More important, the Bison saw a couple of key starters drop to the injury list.
Defensive tackle and senior captain Matt Gratzek suffered a meniscus injury in his knee and head coach Craig Bohl said Monday he was uncertain to the severity. Starting quarterback Brock Jensen emerged from the Western Illinois game with turf toe and his status is also unknown, although Gratzek has been ruled out for the road game at Youngstown State (Pa.) this Saturday.
Turf toe is a common term for damage to tendons or ligaments in the big toe and usually prevents a player from making sharp cuts. Jensen, a redshirt freshman, made his second start in a 28-16 loss at home to Western Illinois, a defeat that dropped NDSU to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Bohl said Jensen's status will be evaluated as the week progresses, but he also said he'll probably name a starter by Wednesday. Sophomore Jose Mohler started the first three games.
"If you have an older, experienced player, you can go all the way until game time," Bohl said. "But sometimes, a player that doesn't have a great deal of experience needs practice repetitions so we'll see where he's at. There are different degrees of turf toe."
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There were more injuries, too, from the Leatherneck game. Backup safety Brock Gion, a major contributor on special teams, tore his ACL and is out for the season. Starting fullback Lee Vandal suffered a thigh bruise and backup cornerback Derrius Colvin is also questionable with a concussion.
Right guard Austin Richard hurt his shoulder and linebacker Brandon Jemison suffered a minor knee injury, but both should be ready to go at Youngstown.
"It's a little discouraging, I have a list here but that's football," Bohl said, holding up a sheet of paper. "We'll deal with it."
Bohl said Gratzek was to undergo exploratory scope surgery later Monday afternoon. Bohl said Gratzek got hurt after planting his foot in the dome turf. He played one more play and then came out.
NDSU will face a Youngstown team that is also coming off a tough loss. The Penguins led Missouri State 17-0 only to lose 35-25 on the road. It came one week after the Penguins knocked off then-13th ranked Southern Illinois.
At 0-2 in the league, NDSU is in danger of losing sight of the front of the pack.
"We're just looking at a one-game deal," Bohl said. "You look around our conference this year and every week is a new week. For us to even look down the road, we'd be remiss in doing that."
Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack can be heard on the Saturday Morning Sports Show, 9-11 a.m. on WDAY-AM (970). He can be reached at (701) 241-5546.
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Kolpack's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com/bisonmedia
