Dantin pays price on short runs
10/31/2010YPSILANTI, Mich. - A short run up the middle again cost Austin Dantin dearly.
The University of Toledo sophomore quarterback was knocked out of the game on a 2-yard run three minutes into Saturday's 42-7 win at Eastern Michigan when he was hit hard.
Dantin was helped off the field and later seen on the sideline wearing a sling on his left arm after being carted to the locker room for treatment.
Dantin was not made available to the media after the game and didn't have any comment when approached by a reporter while walking off the field.
Beckman did not have any update on Dantin's status for the Nov. 9 showdown at Northern Illinois or the extent of his injury after the game.
"It's been X-rayed, and we'll have to check," Beckman said. "I can't give a final verdict now. It was with his nonthrowing shoulder, so we'll have to see."
Dantin suffered a concussion on a 2-yard run up the middle at Boise State three weeks ago and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
Then last week, Dantin left the field late in the fourth quarter against Ball State with a stinger in his right (throwing) shoulder after being drilled on a 2-yard run on fourth down.
Backup quarterback Terrance Owens relieved Dantin Saturday and will be the Rockets' starting signal-caller should Dantin miss significant time with his newest injury.
"Anytime that a young man that's a redshirt freshman comes in and gets this experience, of course it's going to make him a better football player," Beckman said of Owens.
"Him getting this opportunity will definitely benefit him."
DEFENSIVE STAND: UT's defense, heralded for its dramatic turnaround this season, surrendered its fewest points in any game this year.
The last time the Rockets held an opponent to seven points or fewer was Sept. 23, 2006, against McNeese State.
Nearly as impressive, the Rockets allowed Eastern Michigan to rush for only 100 yards.
The Eagles entered Saturday's contest fifth in the Mid-American Conference with 161.6 yards a game on the ground.
"I think they played pretty good," Beckman said of his defense. "[Eastern Michigan] has done a very, very good job of running the football these last two weeks, and I think our kids kind of rose to the occasion and [defended] the run better."
GILLETT LEADS: Eastern Michigan sophomore quarterback and Clyde graduate Alex Gillett again led his team in passing and rushing.
Gillett was 15-of-26 passing for 170 yards and two interceptions. He also rushed for 50 yards on 17 carries - four of which came on sacks for a loss of 25 yards.
GAME CAPTAINS: Serving as team captains for UT Saturday were senior cornerback Desmond Marrow, senior defensive end Terrell Willis, junior running back Morgan Williams, and junior defensive lineman Johnathan Lamb.
The Rockets name their captains on a game-by-game basis to reward effort and dedication in the previous week of practice.
POOCH PUNTS: UT has now won 10 of its last 11 meetings with Eastern Michigan and holds a 12-7 record in Ypsilanti. … The Rockets also matched its best start to the conference season since 2004, when they also started 5-0. … Sophomore safety Jermaine Robinson was credited with his first career interception in the third quarter and finished with two tackles. … Sophomore linebacker Danny Molls was credited with a game-high 13 tackles, the third time this season he's had double-digit tackles in a game.