Stanford plays it safe with Love, will sit him against Davis
STANFORD >> In a potential blow to his Heisman Trophy chances, Stanford running back Bryce Love will miss Saturday’s game against UC Davis because of an undisclosed injury.
Coach David Shaw said that Love and left tackle Walker Little will miss the Aggies game but should be back Sept. 29 against Oregon.
“Don’t anticipate Walker and Bryce being extended, but it’s a wise decision to hold those guys out this week,” Shaw said at his weekly press conference. “This was a very, very physical football game (last Saturday against USC) and we had a lot of guys with bumps and bruises.”
After a slow start to the season — he was held to 29 yards against San Diego State — Love earned 136 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries last Saturday against USC. A game against an FCS opponent could have been a prime
opportunity to improve his rushing totals.
Shaw doesn’t reveal specific injury information. Love was met head-on by two Trojans defenders on his final carry with 1:31 remaining and left the field. The senior dealt with ankle injuries last season but missed only one game, a 1514 win at Oregon State.
Senior Cameron Scarlett, a Pac-12 honorable mention selection last season after
rushing for 389 yards and eight touchdowns, is expected to start in Love’s place. Juniors Trevor Speights and Dorian Maddox also will be in the mix.
Shaw said that backup lineman Foster Surrell is expected to be out three to four weeks. But the injury news wasn’t all bad — Pac-12 honorable mention center Jesse Burkett should make his season debut against UC Davis.