Slot Back Whittaker Lost For The Season

eFootball Fans:

I was hoping the lack of news on Karlos Whittaker was good news; however, as
written by the Annapolis Capital, he is lost for the season.

R/Dave Leather '73
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Subject: Slot Back Whittaker Lost For The Season (Annapolis Capital)

Football: Slot back Whittaker lost for the season
By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer

Paul Johnson got a flat tire on his brand new Jaguar en route to the
Army-Navy media luncheon in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning.

Navy's head coach must feel as though his triple-option offense is suffering
similar breakdowns.
Navy officially lost another key offensive playmaker yesterday when team
doctors delivered the news that slot back Karlos Whittaker had sustained a
severe knee injury that will require season-ending surgery.
Whittaker, a plebe from North Chicago, has been one of Navy's most dangerous
weapons - particularly on the outside. The speedy 5-foot-11, 194-pounder has
rushed for 290 yards and set a Navy freshman record with six touchdowns.
"It's a tough loss, but we've got to move on," Johnson said. "I'm
disappointed for Karlos. He's a good football player and was having a fine
first season."
Whittaker was injured after being tackled awkwardly on a short run against
Temple last Saturday. A magnetic resonance imaging examination performed on
Monday showed that Whittaker had torn both the anterior cruciate ligament
and medial collateral ligament in his right knee. That is exactly the same
damage sustained by starting fullback Matt Hall during the Notre Dame game.
Johnson admitted it's tough to lose two key offensive starters in the span
of week, especially with archrival Army next on the schedule.
"Injuries are a part of football. You've got to expect to have some during a
season," he said. "You can't use injuries as an excuse. Every team loses
good players at some point."
Sophomore Adam Ballard filled in for Hall against Temple and performed
admirably, rushing for a career-high 167 yards and a touchdown. Johnson said
someone else will have to step up to replace Whittaker, who did not start
but participated in as many plays per game as any slot back on the team.
"We've got other guys and they're going to have to play," Johnson said.
"We've got plenty of time to get them prepared in practice."
Junior Eddie Martin saw considerable time in Whittaker's absence against
Temple, carrying twice for 11 yards. Johnson said Trey Hines, another junior
who has primarily played fullback this season, could switch back to slot.
Johnson is also considering using a pair of talented plebes in Shun White
and John Forbes, both of whom have played in junior varsity games.
"We've got plenty of options. We'll see who performs well in practice,"
Johnson said.


Published November 24, 2005, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2005 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.