Post by fwp on May 22, 2009 13:08:37 GMT -5
www.standard.net/live/sports/173948/
OGDEN -- The Ogden Knights have treated fans to a new brand of football.
The fast-paced, bone-crushing game of indoor football has shaken the Golden Spike Events Center over the past few months. The compact field, surrounded by torso-high boards, creates a tight space where some major collisions are inevitable.
While fans have been wowed by big-time tackles in the open field and players getting smashed into the boards, the physicality has come with a price to the Knights.
"We've probably had 15 or 16 guys on injury reserve this year," said Ogden head coach Mike Mink. "I don't know many teams that have to deal with that."
Last Saturday, there were three Knights who left the game due to injuries. One of those players, former Weber State University fullback Joe Pututau, was making his debut for the Knights, filling in for the injured Jonathan Jackson. Pututau was injured on the very first series of the game, and did not return to action.
The list of injured players goes on and on for Ogden. Perhaps one of the bigger blows this season was a knee injury to starting quarterback Brendon Doyle, who will miss the remainder of the season.
But one man's loss is another's opportunity.
Enter former Idaho State quarterback Caleb Eastman. With Doyle gone, Eastman was thrown right into the starting position May 9 against New Mexico. He led the Knights to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback in the game and helped earn Ogden's first victory in franchise history.
"It's been great," said Eastman about his transition onto the team. "We've got great athletes and a great coaching staff. I have a lot of respect for Mike Mink and what he's done with this organization. I've been welcomed with open arms."......article continues in link.
OGDEN -- The Ogden Knights have treated fans to a new brand of football.
The fast-paced, bone-crushing game of indoor football has shaken the Golden Spike Events Center over the past few months. The compact field, surrounded by torso-high boards, creates a tight space where some major collisions are inevitable.
While fans have been wowed by big-time tackles in the open field and players getting smashed into the boards, the physicality has come with a price to the Knights.
"We've probably had 15 or 16 guys on injury reserve this year," said Ogden head coach Mike Mink. "I don't know many teams that have to deal with that."
Last Saturday, there were three Knights who left the game due to injuries. One of those players, former Weber State University fullback Joe Pututau, was making his debut for the Knights, filling in for the injured Jonathan Jackson. Pututau was injured on the very first series of the game, and did not return to action.
The list of injured players goes on and on for Ogden. Perhaps one of the bigger blows this season was a knee injury to starting quarterback Brendon Doyle, who will miss the remainder of the season.
But one man's loss is another's opportunity.
Enter former Idaho State quarterback Caleb Eastman. With Doyle gone, Eastman was thrown right into the starting position May 9 against New Mexico. He led the Knights to a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback in the game and helped earn Ogden's first victory in franchise history.
"It's been great," said Eastman about his transition onto the team. "We've got great athletes and a great coaching staff. I have a lot of respect for Mike Mink and what he's done with this organization. I've been welcomed with open arms."......article continues in link.