Posted at 7:42 a.m., Tuesday, October 9, 2007
CFB: Nevada QB out for year after foot surgery
Associated Press
RENO, Nev. -- Nevada quarterback Nick Graziano is out for the season following surgery to repair a torn tendon on his right foot.
Coach Chris Ault said Graziano will be in a boot cast for six weeks, and out of commission for about four months.
He won't return to practice until next spring at the earliest.
A sophomore, Graziano was injured Saturday during the second quarter of Nevada's conference opener against Fresno State.
The Bulldogs beat Nevada 49-41.
"He blew up the tendon on the top of his foot. It was a freak deal," Ault said Monday. "You could see his foot twist as he went down, and the kid just fell on it.
"It's a shame, there's no question about it."
Graziano was replaced by redshirt freshman Colin Kaepernick, who completed 23-of-36 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 60 yards and another score.
Ault said true freshman Luke Collis would move into the backup quarterback spot.
"He's a strong football player, strong arm, commanding presence," Ault said. "We wanted to redshirt him, but I told him the other day, 'It may be all over now. I may have to pop that bubble, and you might have to be ready to go.'"
The Pack began the season with five quarterbacks but is now down to three. Walk-on freshman Pete Murdaca is now the third-string quarterback. Ryan Howard, another walk-on freshman, injured his medial collateral ligament and could return this season if needed.
