Septmber 22, 1998


Furman's Batluck Out For Season Following Knee Injury

GREENVILLE -- Furman University head football coach Bobby Johnson announced today that starting offensive guard Mark Batluck will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn cartilage in his knee in last Saturday's game against Samford.

Batluck, a 6-foot-2, 268-pound sophomore from Carlisle, Pa., who played two seasons of prep football at Columbia' Spring Valley High School, suffered the injury late in the first quarter of the Paladins' 34-24 win over the Bulldogs.

"We're extremely disappointed for Mark because he had become one of our most reliable offensive linemen through hard work," said Johnson Tuesday afternoon. "We hate to see someone lose the opportunity to play the rest of the year. It's unfortunate, but now we'll have to have some guys step up."

Batluck, who had started in 12 consecutive games for the Paladins, will be replaced in the lineup by redshirt freshman Marty Priore. Priore earned the first winning grade of his career after taking over Batluck in Saturday's game against Samford.

Batluck's season ending injury is the second among Furman regulars this season. Two weeks ago junior nose guard Luke Kosman retired after being diagnosed with a herniated disk in his neck.


Back to the Furman Football Home Page

Page maintained by Hunter Reid