Iowa State football: Update on backup center Ben Loth’s injury
By Brian Spaen
Head coach Paul Rhoads didn’t give much information on backup center Ben Loth’s injury, but there may be a different backup for an extended period of time.
Des Moines Register reporter Tommy Birch tweeted that Rhoads said there was swelling in the knee, but didn’t offer anything else beyond that. There was also some reaction from starting center Tom Farniok.
Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads had no real update on the injury status of center Ben Loth. Said there was swelling. #Cyclones
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) August 5, 2014
Iowa State center Tom Farniok on Ben Loth's injury: "When I saw that, I was like, 'Ah man, his ACL is gone,' but it's not." #Cyclones
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) August 5, 2014
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The injury looked pretty bad on the scene, but luckily it wasn’t worse than it was. Swelling in the knee still isn’t good news. That means Loth is most likely out for the rest of fall camp and probably the first part of the season.
Muscles and ligaments in a knee injury can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to heal. That means the Cyclones will have to pick a new backup to Farniok, and Rhoads will choose Jamison Lalk.
Iowa State hopes this isn’t another trend of bad luck for the offensive line. However, Lalk brings in experience as he slid in as the starting center when Farniok suffered a strained right MCL against Northern Iowa last season. Lalk is just moving to the backup center position — for now, at least.
Good luck to Loth on his recovery and hopefully he won’t miss too much time when the season begins.