MTSU loses WR Terry Pettis; Ohio QB J.D. Sprague medically retires
Middle Tennessee returns Richie James at wideout, but is all of a sudden is very thin behind the All-American.
Blue Raiders head coach Rick Stockstill confirmed to reporters earlier this week that senior Terry Pettis will miss the season after injuring his leg earlier this month. That news comes a month after MTSU lost Shane Tucker to another season-ending leg injury.
Per the Tennessean, Stockstill called Pettis’ injury a “huge, huge loss.”
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Those two were expected to fill the avoid left behind by the graduation of Ed’Marques Batties, who had 82 catches for 1,048 yards last year. Those totals were second behind James’ 108 catches for 1,346 yards. Batties led the team with 13 touchdowns while James added eight.
Pettis registered 29 receptions for 612 yards and four touchdowns in 2015. Tucker made an impact on the ground as well as through the air. He rushed for 413 yards and two scores while hauling in 16 passes for 133 yards.
Senior Demetrius Frazier (28 catches for 191 yards) is expected to see an increased role. MTSU has transfers Jocquez Bruce (Tennessee) and Dennis Andrews (Georgia Tech) in the fold this year, too.
MTSU opens its season Sept. 3 against Alabama A&M. The Blue Raiders were 7-6 in 2015.
In other Group of Five school injury news, Ohio confirmed Wednesday that quarterback J.D. Sprague has left the team. Sprague is the team’s most-experienced quarterback, but has given up the game because of injury issues. Sprague had an offseason surgery to deal with thoracic outlet syndrome.
Sprague underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in the spring. The procedure involved removing a rib on his right side to alleviate a blood flow issue to his right (throwing) arm. Recovery time lasted nearly four months, and Sprague missed the entirety of spring camp as a result.
Thoracic outlet syndrome results in fingers becoming numb, and there is often pain in one shoulder and arm and on one side of the neck. Blood flow from the next to the armpit area is restricted by a compression of nerves or vessels in the upper chest. Sprague said earlier this month that it became an issue after an illegal hit in the Marshall game in 2015.
In a message posted to his Twitter account, Sprague said he has “never felt worse in his life” and that the surgery led to issues with his clavicle.
“As camp went on it became obvious to me that I would not be able to perform at a level needed to lead our team to another successful season. I’ve never felt worse in my life, I’ve worked four years for the opportunity that was ahead but yet I knew in my heart that this was the right decision based on my situation,” Sprague wrote.
You can read his entire statement below:
— JD (@jdsprague3) August 17, 2016
Sprague, a fifth-year senior, joined the program as a walk-on and ended up starting a combined eight games over the past two seasons. He finishes his career with 2,215 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions passing along with 522 yards and four scores rushing.
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With Sprague out of the equation, fifth-year senior Greg Windham and redshirt freshman Quinton Maxwell will compete for the starting role. The two had been competing with Sprague (though Sprague was expected to start) for the job throughout preseason camp. Windham has a combined 17 appearances over the past two seasons and has thrown for 380 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He also has 136 rushing yards.
Coming off an 8-5 record in 2015, Ohio opens up its 2016 slate at home against Texas Tech on Sept. 3.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
