Will Muschamp clarifies injury situation for QB Jake Bentley
By Keith Farner
Published:
The biggest news in the last 24 hours at South Carolina has been the injury status of QB Jake Bentley, which was initially reported as a broken foot.
Muschamp said the injury is a mid-foot sprain, also called a “Lisfranc,” and he confirmed that freshman QB Ryan Hilinski would start on Saturday against Charleston Southern. Muschamp said the team would learn later in the week with a second opinion if Bentley needs surgery, and if that’s the case, his season would be over. If he doesn’t need surgery, Bentley would be out six to eight weeks.
“It’s hard, the guy puts everything into being the quarterback here at South Carolina and it’s very difficult,” Muschamp said, and added that Bentley still wants to be in quarterback meetings. “That’s what will make him successful in life.”
Muschamp said they haven’t discussed a redshirt year for Bentley.
“It’s a tough time right now,” the coach said.
Bentley’s injury happened on the last play of the game. Muschamp said Bentley was sore and told the trainer, who then told Muschamp Sunday morning. A subsequent MRI found the sprain.
When told he would be the starter, Muschamp said Hilinski said, “Let’s go.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
