Heininger (likely) and Brink out for Sugar Bowl

Submitted by J. Lichty on

Per Toledo Blade's Ryan Autullo on Twitter

 
Ryan Autullo
RyanAutullo Ryan Autullo
 
Hoke said Heininger is questionable. I saw him at airport on crutches wearing boot on right foot. I'd guess he misses his final game at UM.
 
RyanAutullo Ryan Autullo
 
Also, Nathan Brink who carved out a role early in the season on the d-line is out, Hoke said.

Mr. Yost

December 28th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

Black would play SDE and Van Bergan would move inside to DT where he played at the beginning of the year.

OR

Campbell replaces Heininger, RVB stays outside and we keep rolling.

 

...personally, I think you'll see both. I think in run situations it's Roh-Martin-Campbell-RVB...in pass situations (where we aren't in nickel) it's Roh-Martin-RVB-Black.

 

We also will likely see more Beyer and Clark in pass rushing situations.

 

I really want to see those guys play, because they deserve it...but in the grand scheme of things it's not THAT bad. It allows younger guys who will have had a month to prepare to get some PT. This would be bad if we played a week after the last game...but I'm anxious to see Big Will, Black, Clark, Beyer and even Ryan at times get there time on the DL vs. Va Tech.

Mr. Yost

December 28th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^

Time for Quinton Washington to play some minutes...maybe as much as Campbell was playing early-midway through this year.

If he's going to be a starter next year. He should be able to give some valuable time during the Sugar Bowl.

The coaches have spoken VERY highly of him and Hoke was even upset after a win because he didn't get to play as much as they wanted him to.

I look for Q to fill in and play a decent role. However, like I said before...I think when Campbell gets tired, the first option will be to move RVB over and bring Black in at SDE. Next option will be Q.

I also don't think it'll matter that much because Va Tech's OLine isn't a strength and I really see our front 7 controlling this game. So with that said, I think we'll be in pass rushing personnel a little more than we were vs. Nebraska or Ohio. This means Clark and Ryan rotating at WDE with Beyer playing WDE when we go to our "BEAR" package with 5 DLmen.

EGD

December 28th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^

I imagine Campbell and Washington will see significant minutes in the Sugar Bowl, given this development and also our needs for 2012.

HighKnees

December 28th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^

This will be interesting.  After this game we'll either be super- optimistic about next season or super nervous. 

Does this mean BWC and Q move to the NT position and Mike Martin moves to 3-tech?  BWC and Q don't really strike me as 3-tech type players, whereas it seems like a natural fit for Martin.  In fact, I think the speculation going into this year was that we'd see Martin at 3 and BWC at NT, right?

Feel bad for Heininger.  He deserved to see the spotlight of a BCS bowl.

yoopergoblue

December 28th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

This is unfortunate news. Heininger was playing like an above-average DT towards the end of the season.  I feel bad that he might miss his final game too.  BWC and QWash will probably get alot of playing time in his absence.

SeaWolv

December 28th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

when did Heininger get injured? Was it recently in practice? After the ohio game they had a couple of weeks off for finals before practices started up again so if it happened in the last game he might be close to recovery but if it happened in practice he may not.

go16blue

December 28th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^

I'm not too worried, by the bowl game Hoke will have another 15 practices to help out the young guys. Hopefully BWC has a good showing so we have something to look forward to for next year.

Also, how crazy is it that we have had almost no major injuries this year? Although now that I think of it, there were plenty that were just unreported (Denard's infection, Roh's sickness). 

michfan6060

December 28th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^

Personally I think Heininger will play. How much I don't know, but I think he'll try and play some at least.