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Sept. 3, 2002--Senior strong safety Mike Adams will miss the remainder of the 2002 football season after suffering a hip injury in the final minutes of the Blue Hens' season opening 22-19 win over No. 5 ranked Georgia Southern on Aug. 29.
Adams, a 5-11, 185-pound senior from Paterson, N.J., suffered an injury to his left hip joint while making a tackle deep in Delaware territory late in the game. Surgery is not expected, and Adams will begin rehabilitation as soon as possible.
"Mike is a tremendous player who will be sorely missed on the field," Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said, "but more importantly, he will be missed in the locker room. Without question, Mike is our emotional leader."
The University will petition the NCAA for a medical hardship year for Adams.
With the loss of Adams, Keeler expects to move senior Josh Kreider, a first-year transfer from Duke, to strong safety from his backup linebacker spot. Starting cornerback Sidney Haugabrook could also be moved back to safety with true freshman Roger Brown moving into the cornerback spot. Haugabrook is also expected to take over punt return duties for Adams.
A fourth-year regular, Adams has started 12 of the 31 games in which he has played at Delaware and has posted 143 tackles and seven interceptions in his career. He recorded eight tackles against Georgia Southern and also returned two punts for 10 yards.
Delaware (1-0) will travel to the University of Richmond for its Atlantic 10 Conference opener at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7. Richmond (0-1) lost to Temple 34-7 in its season opener.
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