As the college football season hits the halfway mark, several playoff hopefuls are grappling with significant injuries to key players, which could impact their campaigns.
Coaches revealed on Monday that Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, Tennessee linebacker Keenan Pili, and Texas defensive back Derrick Williams will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Additionally, Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons is dealing with an injury that casts doubt over his availability for the rest of the year.
This wave of injuries unfolded during a challenging weekend in which Florida quarterback Graham Mertz tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and Utah quarterback Cam Rising sustained a lower leg injury that has left his status uncertain.
Both Mertz and Pili were injured during Tennessee’s hard-fought 23-17 overtime win against Florida. As Pili faces an ACL tear, Tennessee will have to carry on without one of their key team leaders as they prepare to face No. 7 Alabama on Saturday.
Pili’s college days are now over; at age 26, he transferred to Tennessee from BYU and started the season with a season-ending triceps injury. He has utilized two medical redshirts, which limited him to only seven games with the Volunteers.
“He embodies what it means to be a Volunteer,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, expressing his disappointment for Pili and his family. “He’s been a tremendous leader for us and will continue to be within our program. It’s heartbreaking. He is not just a remarkable player but also an exceptional person with a bright future ahead.”
Heupel stated that either Arion Carter or Jeremiah Telander will step in for Pili, taking on the responsibility of wearing the helmet communication device during games.
Morrison’s injury, attributed to a hip problem, arguably stands out as one of the more significant blows from the weekend. The second-team preseason Associated Press All-America corner had amassed nine career interceptions and was seen as a strong candidate for a first-round draft selection.
“It’s definitely a setback for our team,” commented Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. “Losing a captain and a great player is tough, especially for someone who gives everything to the game. He’s faced challenges before, and I have no doubt he will undergo surgery and work hard to return as the best version of himself.”
Morrison’s injury marks another major loss for the Fighting Irish, who are currently ranked 12th in points allowed per game (11.7) and 11th in yards allowed per game (270). They have already dealt with the loss of defensive linemen Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore due to season-ending injuries.
With Morrison sidelined, it seems likely that freshman cornerback Leonard Moore will now play alongside Christian Gray as Notre Dame gears up to take on Georgia Tech at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed on Monday that Williams will also miss the remainder of the season, although no details about the nature of his injury have been provided.
Williams had an impactful role in previous games, including an interception in a victory over No. 24 Michigan and forcing a fumble in Texas’ decisive 34-3 win against Oklahoma. His absence is concerning as the Longhorns prepare to host No. 5 Georgia.
Ohio State fans remain anxious for an update on Simmons, who was carted off the field during the Buckeyes’ narrow 32-31 defeat to No. 2 Oregon. Coach Ryan Day seemed pessimistic about Simmons’ chances of returning this season during his postgame press conference.
“I’ll await the update on Simmons, but it’s unlikely he’ll be back this year,” Day explained. “Losing him is a significant challenge for our team.”
Injuries have not been confined to the top teams, as Mertz suffered a torn ACL in his left knee following a touchdown pass during Florida’s loss to Tennessee. This marks the third consecutive season that Mertz has faced a serious injury after transferring from Wisconsin, having broken his collarbone last season.
Florida will now turn to freshman DJ Lagway as their starting quarterback following Mertz’s injury.
In Utah, coach Kyle Whittingham announced that Rising is now out indefinitely after suffering a lower leg injury during a loss to Arizona State, which saw the Utes drop out of the AP Top 25.
In his seventh season, Rising had already missed three games this year due to a hand injury and sat out all of the previous season due to a knee injury. Freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger sibling of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, is set to take over at quarterback. Utah had a 2-1 record during the three games that Wilson started in Rising’s absence earlier this season.