CFB DeptHITS: Monday, November 11
A busy week 11 has concluded and with so much news, what do you need to know? We'll make that easy on you with the HITS...
We make hundreds of tweaks and updates to the 134 live depth charts at CFBDepth.com — this feature is designed to bring you the ‘big ones’ that you’ll need/want to know as we trudge through this crazy schedule. Today, we’ll hit the week 11 news most pertinent/impactful to our depth charts and to each team as we head down the stretch. This includes injury & status updates and some coaching moves.
Alabama ::: LB Quandarrius "Que" Robinson suffered a season-ending upper body injury in the week 11 game against LSU. A huge blow to the defense for the Tide.
Clemson ::: LT Tristan Leigh suffered an ankle injury and was forced to leave week 11 against Virginia Tech. He tried to return but couldn't go. Will be considered 'day-to-day' leading up to week 12 against Pittsburgh.
Oklahoma ::: WR Deion Burks finally made his return to the field against Mizzou in week 11 but was blasted with a big shot at the very end of the game and is being evaluated for a concussion. He can't seem to buy a break.
Notre Dame ::: DT Howard Cross III was injured in the week 11 blowout over Florida State. He was seen walking off the field gingerly with a heavily taped ankle after the game.
South Carolina ::: The Gamecocks were without starting S DQ Smith in week 11 after re-aggravating a previous injury in warmups.
Iowa State ::: S Malik Verdon suffered a hand injury early in the week 11 loss to Kansas and did not return. No timetable as of yet for his return, but he is a full-time player and a big impact on that defense.
Oregon State ::: CB Jaden Robinson made his return to the Beavers secondary in week 11 after missing six weeks. However, fellow CB Andre Jordan Jr. was injured in the game and limped to the sidelines. Something to track.
Penn State ::: RB Nick Singleton left the week 11 contest against Washington. He left midway through the 3rd quarter after landing awkwardly on his head/neck area and didn't return to the game or the sidelines.
Pittsburgh ::: QB Eli Holstein was struggling in week 11 against Virginia before a hit on a targeting play knocked him out and gave an opportunity to Nate Yarnell in the second half. Yarnell did not take advantage, going just 4/12 with two costly interceptions for the Panthers in the loss to the Cavaliers.
Also, WR Konata Mumpfield was injured in the week 11 game and didn't return. He will be questionable at best moving forward.
Utah ::: Brandon Rose has taken a hold of the starting QB job for the Utes over Isaac Wilson. Rose went 12/21 for 112 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT passing to go with 55 yards rushing on seven carries in the one-point loss to BYU in week 11.
Tennessee ::: Big injuries for the Vols: RB Dylan Sampson suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in the week 11 game against Mississippi State. He was clutching his lower leg/ankle. He ended up returning to the game. QB Nico Iamaleava was forced out due to an upper body injury and did not return but is expected back next week. Finally, WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. was also knocked out of the game an did not return.
Virginia Tech ::: QB Kyron Drones started in week 11 but was re-injured and replaced by Collin Schlee.
Oklahoma State ::: WR Talyn Shettron suffered what ended up being a season-ending injury in week 11.
Connecticut ::: QB Nick Evers was injured late in the game week 11 and forced to leave the game. Backup Joe Fagnano replaced him and orchestrated two touchdown drives in the win.
Boston College ::: QB Thomas Castellanos gave way to Grayson James who led the Eagles to a victory in week 11. Castellanos suffered a lower body injury.
Oregon State ::: QB Ben Gulbranson got the call over Gevani McCoy for the Beavers in week 11. He went 24/37 for 292 yards but two costly interceptions in the loss to San Jose State.
Texas ::: Starting RT Cameron Williams was injured and replaced in the third quarter of the week 11 win over Florida.
Indiana ::: Prior to the week 11 kickoff, it was announced that starting LG Drew Evans would miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. He joins Vincent Fiacable and Nick Kidwell on the 'season-ending' injury list for the Hoosiers. Depth is being tested on the offensive line.
Minnesota ::: Starting safety Aidan Gousby was hurt in week 11 and couldn't put weight on his right leg.
Georgia Tech ::: The Jackets went without starting CB Warren Burrell and did some shifting in the secondary to make up for it. This is an undisclosed injury and an impactful one.
Texas State ::: QB Jordan McCloud, who was injured and missed the second half of week ten, returned as the starter in week 11 and led the Bobcats to a convincing win.
Iowa ::: Leading WR Jacob Gill was down on a play during week 11 against UCLA.
Utah ::: TE Brant Kuithe suffered a season-ending injury in week 11 against BYU.
|||||| COACH FIRING SEASON
Florida State ::: The Seminoles have parted ways with OC Alex Atkins, DC Adam Fuller and WR coach Ron Dugans. The only interim that was named was LB coach and co-DC Randy Shannon being elevated to DC and defensive play-caller for the remainder of the season.
Kennesaw State ::: Head Coach Brian Bohannon was fired following the week 11 overtime loss to UTEP to fall to 1-8 on the season, the teams first at FBS level. He was the head man here since the programs founding in 2015. Co-OC Chandler Burks will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of 2024.
Florida Atlantic ::: FAU has fired Defensive Coordinator Roc Bellantoni and named Brandon Harris as the interim DC. Offensive Line coach Jordan Helm has been elevated to LB coach (filling the positional role held by Bellantoni) and Kyle Chung is the interim O-Line coach.
That’s our show for today. We’ll get back to updating each of our depth charts in preparation of week 12. We’ll go in order of the games and provide updates as to when each team is ‘ready for week 12’ as we go along.
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