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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tuel suffered two injuries; status still unclear

WSU linemen John Fullington, left, and David Gonzales help quarterback Jeff Tuel up after he was rocked by a hard hit at the end of the first half.  Tuel did not start the second half and was held out for medical reasons.  (Christopher Anderson / Spokesman-Review)
PULLMAN – Quarterback Jeff Tuel did not attend Monday night’s Washington State football practice and his status for Saturday’s game at Oregon is still not determined. Tuel, who fractured his left clavicle Sept. 5, in the season opener vs. Idaho State, re-aggravated that injury in last Saturday’s 44-21 loss to Oregon State in Seattle. He also suffered a previously undisclosed right calf injury early in that contest. Both injuries were examined Monday evening and Tuel’s status should be clearer today, WSU coach Paul Wulff said. “We’re still waiting to see exactly where he’s at,” Wulff said. “We should have a definite (today).” As of Monday night, Wulff said, fifth-year senior Marshall Lobbestael is the starter until Tuel’s status is clarified. “We’re just trying to figure out where we need to go with it,” Wulff said of Tuel’s injuries. Tuel probably suffered the calf injury on a 10-yard run on the game’s fifth snap, a play on which the quarterback turned the wrong way and had to scramble through the hole. Five plays later, facing a fourth-and-2 on the Oregon State 24, WSU called for Tuel to run, but had to call time out when the quarterback felt he couldn’t do it due to the leg injury. After the time out, Carl Winston’s run up the middle was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Despite the calf problem, Tuel still finished 11-of-13 passing for 127 yards and one touchdown. He was also sacked three times.