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Unfortunately, we go into the locker room and get bad news. Marc Billmaier is done for the season. In fact, he might be done for two seasons, as he's likely to be redshirted next year. The diagnosis is ACL damage is his right knee, and it will take a full 42 weeks to recover. The good news is Marc is a true sophomore, so he will not lose eligibility by sitting out next year and getting completely healthy. The bad news is that losing Marc hurts our defensive secondary.
I know some of you are out there laughing. Marc is a horrible punt returner, and I think the world knows that. Still, he's been a starter at corner all year, and has really be reliable. Marc and Bart Serra's injury leaves our secondary very weak. Stepping into the first team defense for the second half and perhaps the rest of the regular season is freshman Roy Dalzell. Mark Braun becomes the nickel corner, but we have no depth beyond that, other than walk ons.
Redshirt freshman DT Horace Bean, a starter, will miss the rest of the game with a torn ligament in his left thumb. Senior Artie McKenzie, out of Munford, TN, will take his spot in the second half.
Despite the injuries, we've done well for the half. It's obvious Coach Fulmer is happy with our overall performance.
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