University of Houston Athletics
Football Practices Without Robertson
10/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 9, 2001
HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Houston football team received some tough news Tuesday when it learned that it would probably be without the services of regular starting quarterback Kelly Robertson this weekend. However, that didn't damper the Cougars' spirits during a vigorous workout Tuesday afternoon.
The Cougars, who play host to Conference USA rival Memphis at 7 p.m. Saturday at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium, won't have Robertson under center for the first time this season after the junior broke a bone in his right wrist during last weekend's loss at league foe Army.
As a result, sophomore Nick Eddy, a junior college product from Courtland, Calif., should start his first collegiate game this weekend against the Tigers, with Torrence Botts backing him up.
While Houston head coach Dana Dimel was disappointed for Robertson, he said that Robertson's load would now have to picked up by the rest of the team.
"Nick is going to have growing pains because it's his first start, so the players around him must perform at a higher level," Dimel said. "We have talented running backs, receivers and a solid offensive line, and our defense has to play like we expect them to."
Robertson is listed as day-to-day with his injury, and his status for the remainder of the season is unclear.
Despite an 0-4 start this season and the loss of Robertson, Dimel remained upbeat during Tuesday's two-and-a-half workout and encouraged his players continue to work harder through the difficult times.
"It's no one person's fault, but it's the fault of everyone involved with this football team that we are not wherever we could and should be," Dimel said. "That's a winner's attitude, based on the situation we're facing now. That's a great message our team needs to understand."
