All-America wide receiver Bryan Rowley is off crutches and walking again, but it is unlikely he will rejoin the University of Utah football team this fall.
"It depends on how soon I could come back," says Rowley, who broke his ankle in the season opener against Nebraska. "If I could come back in the next two weeks, I'd do it. But it doesn't look like that will happen. I just barely started walking again. It looks like I'll probably redshirt."Rowley hopes to begin running in 10 days. In the meantime, he is relegated to the role of a spectator.
"I feel bad having to miss the good year we're going to have," he says. "But we'll be good next year, too. And this might turn out to be a blessing for the team. They can find out better what other players they have."
LINEUP CHANGES: The Utes have made a few more lineup changes for Saturday's Western Athletic Conference opener against Colorado State. Mark Walejko, a 6-foot-51/2, 247-pound senior who has spent much of the past two seasons hampered by knee injuries, will start in place of injured Mike Lewis at left defensive end. Sam Rhoades, a starter at cornerback earlier this year, has been moved to a backup position behind safety Mark Swanson. With injuries to Pita Tonga and Keoni Manliguis, the Utes will start Preston Christensen at inside linebacker. He was a regular in the first two games but was hampered last week by a knee injury.
David Kozlowski, a freshman wide receiver, will make the first start of his collegiate career, in the slotback position, following a superb performance against Oregon State. Kozlowski was hospitalized overnight early in the week with a viral infection, but is expected to play Saturday . . . Wide receiver Vernon Shaver, sidelined since training camp by a hamstring injury, is expected to see his first action of the year. Ed Castillo will start in place of injured Roy Ma'afala at left guard.
THE NUMBERS: Quarterback Frank Dolce leads the WAC in pass efficiency with a 146.8 rating. He has completed 70 of 113 passes (62 percent) for 986 yards, 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Tonga leads Utah in tackles with 32 total (19 solo), an average of 10.7 per game. Defensive tackle Blaine Berger and end Luther Elliss are second with 25 each. Elliss leads the WAC in tackles for loss with six. Linebacker/end Errol Martin has 5 . . . Keith Williams has rushed for a so-so 197 yards in three games, but he's had only 32 carries (6.2 yards per attempt).