Avoiding injuries a must for Panthers - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

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Injuries on both sides of the line played a big part in derailing the Kentucky Wesleyan College football team's 2009 campaign.

Most notably, Steven Smith, one of the Panthers' top defensive players, hurt his knee in preseason practice, tried to play the first two games, then was out for the rest of the year. Then quarterback Chris Owen broke his foot in the Panthers' second game and was out for the remainder of the season.

Both players are looking to make up for lost time this fall.

"It was the first injury of my football career," said Owen, a senior out of Evansville Central. "It was a very long season, knowing I couldn't help my teammates."

Smith is even more to the point.

"It was tough," he said.

The Panthers don't lack for motivation coming off a 2-9 record, and they're focused on turning the program around. That task begins when Indianapolis visits at 6 p.m. Thursday for the season opener at Steele Stadium.

"It will be one of the toughest opponents we face all year," KWC coach Brent Holsclaw said.

Keeping Owen, Smith and as many other Panthers healthy will be vital for them to have success this season.

"We've got good leadership -- it's an easy group to work with as far as discipline and those things go," Holsclaw said. "But there are a lot of question marks."

Some units, namely the defensive front, lack depth, which makes the fear of injuries even greater than usual.

"We've got to stay healthy," Holsclaw said.

With Owen (5-11, 180) back at quarterback, Vince Lalonde will return to his natural position of wide receiver after being pressed into duty as the signal caller last season, during which he completed 129-of-198 passes for 861 yards and eight touchdowns with seven interceptions.

"Playing back at receiver I feel much more comfortable," Lalonde said.

DaMarcus Ganaway, the top returning receiver with 50 catches for 416 yards and five touchdowns last season, was the Panthers' top playmaker. He had 809 all-purpose yards in eight games.

"Ganaway and Lalonde are the bread winners for us," Holsclaw said.

The Panthers will strive to run the ball more after averaging just 114.2 yards a game last season. The Panthers managed 214.9 yards a game in total offense while giving up 363.6.

"We want to be more efficient running the ball," Holsclaw said.

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