Tennessee will finish the season without Daune Morris after the sophomore running back was sidelined by a reported leg injury suffered in a car accident on Thursday night into Friday morning.
Morris had carved out a real role in the Vols’ offense this season, piling up 66 carries for 434 yards and three touchdowns while also catching six passes for 35 yards. His absence takes away a useful change-of-pace piece from a backfield that has leaned heavily on the run.
That was evident in Saturday night’s win over Texas A&M, when Tennessee turned to DeSean Bishop and Javin Gordon to carry the load at running back. Gordon finished with 78 yards on 11 carries, and the Vols still found enough balance to get past the Aggies.
After the game, Josh Heupel addressed the situation and didn’t hide how much it stings to lose a player this way.
“Yeah, you hate having to deal with that,” Heupel said. “You got to make good decisions.
And you affect a lot of other people that have put a lot of work into it. At this point, we’re close to 300 days of work since January, I think 20th since we first started.
It takes everybody staying consistent, being focused and taking care of each other.”
According to Knox News’ Adam Sparks, the crash happened “about 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 13.” Sparks reported that Morris “struck a fire hydrant and four parked cars” after his vehicle lost traction during a turn on Kingston Pike.
Morris had flashed big-play ability just last week against Kentucky, when he broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run. Tennessee will still have options in the ground game, including quarterback Faizon Brandon, who has worked his way into a legitimate role in the offensive gameplan. Even so, losing Morris is a significant blow for a team built around the run and one that could be only a few weeks from the College Football Playoffs.
Gordon said Morris reached out to the team Saturday morning from Knoxville with a message for the group.
“He texted us this morning,” Gordon said. “He was basically telling us, ‘Go ball out, guys.
It’s already written. Of course, God’s story, it’s already written.’
And that he loves us.”
No. 8 Tennessee is expected to move up in the AP rankings on Sunday and the College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday. The Vols now turn to a big stretch, hosting LSU next Saturday night before finishing the regular season at Vanderbilt after Thanksgiving.
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