Miami receiver to miss season

Junior Chris Givens injured his shoulder last week but will have two years of eligibility left.

Chris Givens was hurt during Miami’s 48-0 loss at Boise State on Saturday, Sept. 12. He'll receive a medical redshirt and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

ENLARGE PHOTO

MU icers top seed for NCAA tourney
3/21/10
UD keen on renewing rivalry with UC
3/20/10
Miami rebounds with win, likely locks up top seed in NCAA tourney
3/20/10
Ask Hal: Gullett was Reds’ best lefty in recent memory
3/20/10
MU’s Vehr places 7th at NCAAs
3/20/10
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 7:53 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

OXFORD — Miami University junior wide receiver Chris Givens, the most dependable player on an offense that has yet to score a point, will be lost for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

“He tore his labrum off the bone,” Miami coach Mike Haywood said Thursday, Sept. 17, after practice.

Givens was hurt during Miami’s 48-0 loss at Boise State on Saturday, Sept. 12, and Haywood said he will undergo surgery Oct. 1.

Givens, a native of Chillicothe, had 35 receptions last season and led the RedHawks in receiving yards (513), yards per catch (14.7) and touchdown catches (seven).

Through two games this season he leads the team with 11 receptions for 98 yards.

“He’s a player who you could tell from his performance was getting continually better,” Haywood said.

Givens will receive a medical redshirt, the Miami coach said, and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Now there is an opportunity for younger players to step up and perform,” Haywood noted.

Givens isn’t the only key offensive threat who will miss Miami’s Mid-American Conference opener at Western Michigan on Saturday night, Sept. 19.

Senior tailback Andre Bratton will miss his second straight game because of a groin injury, Haywood said.

Junior tailback Thomas Merriweather will start in place of Bratton, who had moved into the starting lineup after gaining 37 yards in seven carries against Kentucky.

But the following week during practice Bratton aggravated a groin injury, which had limited his ability to work out in the preseason.

Merriweather has struggled in Miami’s two games, rushing 23 times for only 32 yards.

Share this article