San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

FOOTBALL: Lindley and Hillman battling through injuries

David J. Olender / Photo Editor

The Aztecs’ starting tail back and quarterback are expected to play Saturday

By Edward Lewis, Sports Editor

The two San Diego State football players who have had the biggest impact on SDSU’s 6-2 squad this season are nursing two nagging injuries.

Freshman running back Ronnie Hillman suffered a hip pointer against New Mexico two weeks ago and was not 100 percent against Wyoming on Saturday, head coach Brady Hoke said. Hillman, who entered last weekend’s game with 121.3 rushing yards per contest, rushed for just 44 yards on 21 carries against the Cowboys.

“Just watching him out there on the field, I didn’t need to watch the tape, I think he’s still bothered a little bit,” Hoke said. “I give him credit. He went out there and practiced last week … He went out there and got after it, and he’s just not exactly where he wants to be.”

Hoke held Hillman out of some practice last week to try to rest his injured hip, but said he tries not to do that with a freshman because he’ll miss valuable experience. Hoke expects Hillman to play on Saturday against Colorado State.

The Aztecs’ other most valuable player, junior quarterback Ryan Lindley, is also battling through an injury. He limped toward the podium at Tuesday’s press conference, clearly favoring the ankle he injured late in the first half against Wyoming on Saturday.

Lindley said the injury was not the dreaded high-ankle sprain. He said he was about 80 to 85 percent healthy as of Tuesday, but said he expects to play against the Rams.

“I’m real excited about the progress we’ve made since Saturday,” Lindley said. “I just have to keep going at it and working down there. It’s just a regular ankle sprain — I’ll be good.”

SDSU will take on Colorado State at 7 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
FOOTBALL: Lindley and Hillman battling through injuries