Arizona quarterback Matt Scott suffered a concussion in Saturday's loss to UCLA, and his status for the upcoming game against Colorado is uncertain.
UA athletic director Greg Byrne and coach Rich Rodriguez offered information on Scott's medical status at the team's regular media availability Monday.
Byrne, after noting that Scott allowed him to share the information due to the media interest, said, "At UCLA, Matt did suffer a concussion during the game. Many of you saw him receive a blow to the head, I think with a knee, and that resulted in a concussion. ...
"Matt will be observed and evaluated daily. The final decision on whether or not he is going to play will be made by our medical staff."
Scott left after his helmet was hit by a UCLA player's knee midway through the third quarter. While there has been public speculation that the concussion was related to the hit Scott took to the head against USC the previous week, Byrne said Scott did not suffer a concussion in that game and was cleared to play against UCLA based on his performance on the standard "ImPACT" concussion test.
“We went through the process of evaluating Matt throughout the week. We took the proper steps and procedures, and we were able to do the final exertional ImPACT test on Friday. He was medically cleared to play."
Scott also said last week that he did not feel that he had a concussion and that his vomiting after the hit was due to nausea he'd felt throughout the day.
As for whether Scott — if he were medically cleared — could play this week without practicing, Rodriguez didn't dismiss the possibility.
"If Matt is cleared to go Saturday and everything is good, I think Matt can play well without a whole lot of reps. That is all hypothetical, so I am not thinking about that right now.”
If Scott is unable to play, backup B.J. Denker will get the start. Denker, a junior who transferred to UA from Cerritos (Calif.) Junior College, is 13 for 23 with one touchdown and one interception to go along with 30 rushing yards on 12 attempts this season.
Byrne also provided an update on linebacker Hank Hobson, who collapsed
during the UCLA game and was carted off the field. Rodriguez said after the game that the situation was likely related to a prior nerve issue, and Hobson was released from the hospital Sunday.
"With Hank, he is back in Tucson after spending Saturday night in Los Angeles," Byrne said. "Hank’s parents were in attendance at the game. I met them on the sideline and went to see Hank shortly after he left the field. Yesterday I saw Hank in the training room walking around, and he was in good spirits. I am not sure of his status for Saturday."
Rodriguez provided a bit more detail, in the process making it sound unlikely that Hobson will be available this week.
"He aggravated a nerve. I just talked to him earlier and he feels fine," Rodriguez said. "He was frustrated on the field because he didn’t want to do the whole procedure that they did to him. But he understands why he had to do that. Hank will be fine; I just don’t know how long it will be.”
