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Missouri OC: Starting RB Damarea Crockett held out of lineup last week by design
By Ryan Black
Published:
Damarea Crockett didn’t start at running back last week in Missouri’s 35-3 home loss to Purdue.
Monday, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel revealed why during a conference call with reporters. According to Heupel, Crockett being kept out of the lineup was “related to health” issues stemming from a bruised tailbone injury he suffered in a Sept. 9 home defeat to South Carolina. As a result, Heupel said Crockett was limited during practices last week.
Crockett did end up entering the game against the Boilermakers, carrying 10 times for 19 yards.
“I knew that’s how it was going to go,” Crockett told the Columbia Daily Tribune about not starting last week. “I think it’s just because Coach Heupel just designed things. Can’t really go on the depth.”
Ish Witter was the team-high rusher last Saturday, finishing with 25 yards on seven carries.
But coach Barry Odom said Monday that Crockett would be back in the lineup Saturday against Auburn and “is going play a whole bunch.”
Missouri (1-2, 0-1 SEC) hosts No. 15 Auburn (2-1) this week. Game time Saturday at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on ESPNU.
#Mizzou OC Josh Heupel: Decision not to start RB Damarea Crockett was "related to health" & limited practice reps he got during the week
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 18, 2017
Odom: "Damarea is a starter is going to play a whole bunch." Says reps will lean toward him this week.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 18, 2017
Ryan Black covers Georgia football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanABlack.
