Emporia State sophomore safety Derek Lohmann just can’t get healthy, and now he’s going to be out for the year.
Lohmann is scheduled to have surgery next Friday to repair a hernia injury, and coach Garin Higgins has decided its best for him to redshirt this season.
“If you were to get him back, he would miss so much repetitions,” Higgins said, “and he’s still young and has a redshirt year.”
Lohmann was expected to start at safety this season for the Hornets, but he has had injury problems dating back to the spring. He missed spring camp with a knee injury and then sat out most of training camp with a pulled hamstring.
After missing last week’s opener, Lohmann returned to practice Monday and his hernia, which he said he’s had for awhile, flared up again.
Lohmann went to the doctor on Tuesday and found out he needed surgery and would have to sit out at least six weeks, during which he could not lift anything more than two pounds.
“It sucks to have to sit out again, but nothing I can do about it now,” he said.
Sophomore Quincy Williams started last week in place of Lohmann and will continue to start alongside Chris Poston at safety. Williams was going to split time between cornerback and safety, but defensive coordinator Ken Gordon said he no longer plans to use Williams at corner.
“It hurts, but guys have got to step up,” Gordon said. “That’s part of it. You’re going to have those injuries, so the next guy’s got to step up.”
Redshirt freshman Travon Brooks and senior Shaunquez Powell will back up Williams and Poston. Powell split time between safety and cornerback in the opener and will continue to do so.
As a true freshman splitting time between safety and linebacker, Lohmann had 28 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries and two pass break-ups.
Augustana opening new stadium
Augustana will be playing on campus Saturday for the first time in 51 years.
The Vikings open their new Kirkeby-Over Stadium against the Hornets and have had a busy week of festivities leading up to the game.
“It’s fun to get back on campus and it’ll be a great stadium to play in,” Augustana coach Brad Salem said. “I don’t think we understand what it’ll be like. There’s no track around it. It’s got a six-foot wall around it.
“It’s a great venue for viewing and playing in, and we’re just excited to get back on campus. It will be good for our college and our community and get people excited about our program.”
Emporia State coach Garin Higgins doesn’t mind being the first team to play in an opposing team’s new stadium.
“To me it’s like another version of a homecoming,” Higgins said. “A lot of hoopla surrounding the game.
“... I don’t worry about it. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with all that stuff, being the head coach. I’m sure Coach Salem has to go to different functions and alll that. I like going up there and being relatively quiet and worry about our task at hand.”