J-Mo injury

untgirl04 · November 7, 2005

During the second quarter, we watched JMo limp off the field a bit. Then, right before half, they took him away in the Gator. I didn't see JMo on the sidelines for the second half. I think I might have seen him after the game in plainclothes walking with PC off the field, but I was wondering if anyone had an update. He was sitting in the front seat of the Gator with his head in his hands, and it didn't look necessarily like a leg injury, but the way he limped off, I think it might have been his hammy.

Anyone know what's going on?

Stan R · November 7, 2005

One of the DRC articles mentioned re-aggravated hamstring. Don't quite understand how this could be a muti-year continually re-occuring injury but this isn't uncommon.

UNTSportsGuy · November 7, 2005

At this point it might be best to sit him down for the rest of the season, let him get healthy for next season. Let Cobbs take the load for the last few games, it is the least you can do for a guy who helped take this team to a new level.

Edited November 7, 2005 by UNTSportsGuy

untgirl04 · November 7, 2005

One of the DRC articles mentioned re-aggravated hamstring. Don't quite understand how this could be a muti-year continually re-occuring injury but this isn't uncommon.
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As few carries as he's gotten this season, I'm not that surprised. He can't get into a rhythm and keep loose. I don't disagree with the decision to play Cobbs (not only is he a senior, but he's earned the right to carry this team) but I just wish there were a way to get both of them at least more equal playing time.

But I guess that's kinda moot now...

MeanGreen61 · November 7, 2005

Brett Vito: Time to let Cobbs shoulder rushing load

08:23 AM CST on Monday, November 7, 2005

The plan sounded like it was built for success just a few months ago, back before North Texas became the first team in NCAA history to put a pair of national rushing champions on the field at the same time.

Running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas would share the load, reduce the wear and tear on each other and make the Mean Green’s running game all the more effective. After eight games, one has to wonder if that plan was doomed from the start.

UNT struggled to run the ball all season before coming up with one of its best performances on Saturday night in a 31-28 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. Patrick Cobbs came into the night averaging just 76 rushing yards a game while Thomas was posting an average of 47.

Neither really broke through for a big night until Thomas made an early exit against the Ragin’ Cajuns due to a hamstring injury that has hampered him all season. Once Thomas departed, Cobbs seemed to find his groove.

The senior got carry after carry and finished with 197 yards and three second-half touchdowns that would have given UNT a win if its defense hadn’t coughed up a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes.

Thomas’ injury was unfortunate considering the sophomore is an outstanding player and all-around good guy who has led the Mean Green to several wins and brought the school a ton of positive publicity. But after Cobbs exploded for his best performance since 2003, one has to wonder if UNT wouldn’t be better off with one running back getting 30 carries a game like the last two years when the Mean Green had one of the best running attacks in the country.

Cobbs averaged 152.7 yards a game in that scenario in 2003, while Thomas carried the load and racked up 180.1 yards a game last year.

“The thing that we have learned is that both of these guys perform better when they get a higher number of carries,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “Patrick only carried the ball 23 times, but he responded with some nice runs. We will continue to look at how we want to use Patrick and Jamario based on our game plan and how healthy they are.”

Thomas really hasn’t been healthy since he set a UNT and Sun Belt Conference record by rushing for 291 yards on 28 carries in a win over Idaho in the 10th game of last season. Thomas pulled a hamstring in that game and missed the next week’s game against Arkansas State before returning to play in a New Orleans Bowl loss to Southern Miss.

Thomas has not rushed for 100 yards since the injury and has struggled to get into shape.

He came into fall camp at 215 pounds after playing at 195 last season.

“The hamstring prevented me from coming into practice in good shape,” Thomas said. “I hurt it over the summer and it has given me problems ever since. I am a little heavier than I expected coming into the year. It’s a little too much weight for me to carry. I would like to get back down to 205.”

Thomas’ injury could force UNT back into a one-back system. Dickey said after the Mean Green’s loss to ULL that Thomas’ status for the rest of the season is uncertain.

UNT will have to consider in the next few days if the time has come to let Cobbs finish off his senior season carrying the ball 30 times a game and let Thomas rest or at least reduce his carries.

UNT has two wins this season. Both came when Cobbs had at least 27 carries in conference games.

The Mean Green lost a golden opportunity to pick up a third win when they squandered a lead late against ULL, but are actually still in the race for the conference title. Louisiana-Monroe is the only team left in the league with one conference loss.

Every other team in the league has at least two, including UNT. The Mean Green still have a game with ULM on Nov. 19.

UNT is far removed from where it wanted to be at this time of the year, and you can bet the Sun Belt would much rather have a team that somewhat resembles a bowl contender. But at this point, the Mean Green still have a chance to rally to win a share of the league title. Judging by what has happened this season, and on Saturday during Cobbs’ breakout game, it might be time to put the Mean Green’s fate in the hands of just one running back.

Cobbs has thrived as the Mean Green’s primary ball carrier in the past and looked like a vintage version of himself against ULL.

That performance should be enough to convince the Mean Green to ride Cobbs as far as he can take them the rest of the season.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com