Opelt calls playing chances "realistic"

TOLEDO, Ohio - Unlike past press conferences, UT quarterback Aaron Opelt suggested it was "realistic" for him to come back this week from a shoulder injury that's caused him to miss the last two-and-a-half games.

"It's very realistic for me to play this week and that's what we're going to get after," said Opelt, a senior from Fremont Ross.

"I feel great 95% of the day. It feels real good and then there's certain things I do that irritate it and that's kind of what we're trying to work past," he said.

For now, with backup QB Austin Dantin still ailing from a high ankle sprain, Alex Pettee's name sits atop the depth chart. Pettee started Saturday's game against Temple.

"I would if we're playing the game tomorrow, none of them (both Opelt and Dantin)... they're not playing, both of them," head coach Tim Beckman said.

"If they're not able to practice on Wednesday and be sufficient at practicing, meaning throwing balls and running and doing those sorts of things, then they will not play and Alex Pettee will do, and Alex Pettee will be our quarterback."

But Opelt's determined to get off the sidelines.

"It's not really that cool coaching on the sidelines," he said. "Maybe five years down the road it'd be cool, but not right now. I want to be out there with those guys. That's where I want to be.

"The shoulder is coming back. It's starting to feel good. It's starting to feel promising and I'm going to do everything I can to be back this week."