Hunter still hopes to contribute

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer - 11/4/2009


In his first interview since sustaining an ankle-foot injury on Sept. 12, Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter says he continues to harbor hopes of playing at an effective level this season.

"It's a frustrating thing, but everything happens for a reason," Hunter said late Monday night, following OSU's practice session at Boone Pickens Stadium. His right ankle and foot were heavily wrapped.

Cowboy coach Mike Gundy has not divulged specifics of Hunter's injury, but it is believed that the junior running back sustained a right-ankle sprain and a hairline fracture of his right foot during OSU's 45-35 home loss to Houston.

At Baylor on Oct. 24, Hunter was in uniform for the first time since being injured, but did not play. Against Texas last week, he carried one time for 1 yard.

"When it first happened, I felt like it was sprained pretty bad," Hunter said. "It's an injury you have to fight through. It hurts not to be out there, but I see my teammates improving and playing good."

Last season, Hunter was the Big 12 rushing leader with 1,555 yards. He was voted a Football Writers Association of America first-team All-American and was an All-Big 12 first-team selection.

This season, having played in only one full game (the opener against Georgia), his rushing total amounts to 105 yards. Senior Keith Toston has been OSU's primary ground-game weapon with 676 yards on 130 carries.

In each of the three previous seasons, OSU led the Big 12 in rushing. This season, Iowa State leads the conference with 200.3 yards per game. OSU is fourth at 179.1 yards — a 67-yard drop from last season's average.

Cleared by doctors for full-speed participation, Hunter's primary issue is pain tolerance.

Whether he plays on Saturday, when the 18th-ranked Cowboys visit Iowa State, probably won't be determined until pregame warm-ups.



Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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Rhymeister, International (11/5/2009 12:18:36 AM)
JUST another wuss who cant cut it.--- DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks Yet another classy remark by a LandGrabber fan, how refreshing...

PIRANA, Tulsa (11/4/2009 10:17:42 AM)
Go Pokes!!!

TK1, (11/3/2009 2:42:50 PM)
Hope he's back in time for Bedlam.

DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks (11/4/2009 9:17:21 AM)
JUST another wuss who cant cut it.

definedego, (11/5/2009 2:33:18 PM)
Die hard sooner fan is a great reminder why it is so easy to HATE OU!!!! Silly boy

stugraham, broken arrow (11/3/2009 8:24:56 PM)
Man up. Idiot. You know nothing, and I repeat that, nothing about his ankle. You think a running back in the Big XII needs some knucklehead giving his opinion on when and where he should play. If Kendall was ready, or even close to it, he would be out there. I'm an OU fan, but you sir, are full of yourself. Frustrated jock, I imagine. Sit back and watch Kendall run on Sundays, as he will.

Big Eagle, (11/4/2009 1:40:10 PM)
He should just sit out the rest of the year. OSU is done anyway.

red02v, (11/4/2009 12:15:03 PM)
He can always put on some of those sexy black stretchy pants and stand with the cheerleaders???!?!?!?! All joking aside, heal up soon!

OkieA, RuralOkla (11/3/2009 2:25:36 PM)
Hang in there Kendall! Keep getting some electical-stimulation therapy on that foot.

Tpdfiji, (11/4/2009 11:38:51 AM)
"In his first interview since (suuffering) an ankle-foot injury" Doesn't Haisten or the TW editorial staff have a spell checker????

Big John 2009, (11/4/2009 7:56:38 AM)
Get well, Kendall. We need u back at full speed. GO POKES !!!!



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