Andersen: Losing Woodward For Season ‘Is A Huge Blow’
Nov 6, 2019, 6:41 PM
David Woodward walks off the field against New Mexico State on Sept. 8, 2018. Woodward is out for the remainder of the 2019 season, following an undisclosed injury. Wade Denniston, Courtesy of USU Athletic Media Relations / Deseret News
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head coach Gary Andersen said the loss of David Woodward “is a huge blow” to the football team although “it’s hardest” for the linebacker himself.
Andersen confirmed Woodward would miss the rest of the 2019 season during his postgame remarks following a 42-14 loss to BYU on November 2.
“Not having David is a huge blow for every Aggie, at every level. It’s the hardest for him, trust me, it’s the hardest for the kid,” said Andersen. “He’ll go through it, but it’s a devastating blow for a young man to be in that spot. As a player, I had two half-seasons taken away from me, and it’s tough. The key is to help him, and then to help the young guys that are playing.”
It's unfortunate to hear David Woodward is out for the season. His absence was noticeable tonight (not that he would have won them the game) but it's an incredible challenge Utah State has moving forward without him.
— Matthew L Glade (@matthewLksl) November 3, 2019
Leading Linebacker
Woodward’s loss will hurt the Aggies in multiple ways throughout the rest of their 2019 slate of games. The junior linebacker wasn’t just a leader in production on the field but he was a leader for his teammates in the locker room as well.
The LB is currently the team’s leading tackler with 93 total tackles on the season. The next closest Aggie defender has 56 tackles in 2019.
Woodward has wreaked havoc for opposing offenses all season. He’s forced four fumbles and one recovery. The linebacker has posted two sacks and five tackles for a loss. He’s also broken up two passes.
No question, he’s led the Aggies’ defense.
For @USUFootball LB David Woodward, silence is deadly. 🤫
His game speaks for itself and he leads the Aggies by example. #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/IvNJpq8FSS
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 3, 2019
Replacing Woodward’s Production
Utah State will turn to lesser experienced players to fill in for production missing on defense post-Woodward.
“We need to continue to help Elijah (Shelton) and AJ (Vongphachanh) to get better and to work out there as a unit, and make sure that Kevin (Meitzenheimer) doesn’t feel like he has to just take care of the freshmen all the time, and get him lined up so that Kevin can do his job as well as he can,” said Andersen.
This season, Shelton has recorded 13 total tackles in five games played.
Vongphachanh has posted 12 tackles in four games.
Meitzenheimer is the Aggies’ fourth leader tackler in 2019 with 53 total tackles. He’s also forced a fumble and caught an interception.
“It’s a big blow, our kids need to pick it up from where it is and go from there,” continued Andersen. “I said it earlier today on an interview, we lost David now, and I don’t think it’s fair to Fua (Leilua) if we just forget about Fua, because he wasn’t there the first game of the year. If we’re talking about guys that have been gone for the year that are great players, Fua has to be mentioned in that spot, also. It’s not an excuse because we lost him, that’s where we’re at and the way that we’re playing, but I think it’s in fairness to Fua to recognize him as a great player that was with us and is no longer with us as David is now.”
Leilua has three tackles in one game this season.
Next on Utah State’s 2019 schedule is Fresno State. The Aggies play at the Bulldogs on Saturday, November 9 at 5 p.m. (MDT). The game is broadcast on CBS Sports Network and 1280 AM.
