Henderson still nursing injuries

Injuries seemed to be one of the biggest problems for the IUP football team during the offseason.

Whether it is an injury that has a player out for a day, a week, or even a month, missing key practice time and game time is problematic.

Andre Henderson is one of those players who understands the difficulties of dealing with injuries during both the regular season and the off-season.

Henderson was plying well through the first four games of last season. He had 33 tackles, five tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble, however, a shoulder injury during the game against Mercyhurst put him on the sideline for the rest of the season.

"[Injuries] happen, but you have to deal with it," Henderson said about his injury last year.

But another offseason injury has Henderson out for an unknown amount of time.

"You can't rush any injury," Henderson said. "It's better to heal up fully and then go out. You have to take these [injuries] one day at a time, and we'll go from there."

Though he won't be able to be out there on the field with the rest of his team, his leadership will remain present.

When Henderson will return is uncertain right now, but his appearance is greatly awaited by the coaches.

His injury might have some people feeling pessimistic, but Henderson's optimistic personality about the team's overall improvement and skill level did not seem to worry him at all.

"Of course you'll be seeing explosive results from me this year, but I'm not the only one," he said. "A lot of the guys, even the newer guys, are looking really good."

Henderson isn't the only one thinking positive about the IUP. The head coaches of the PSAC West also seem to think the football team will do well as they chose IUP to finish second behind Cal U in 2010. Cal U is the three-time defending region champion, but Henderson still had his opinions on how well the team will do.

"It is nice to be recognized like that, for who at least voted for us. It's nice to get noticed in that way. I'm sure we can step it up and take that number one spot, but we'll see where we are down the road."

 IUP has the usual target on their backs as one of the teams to beat, but that doesn't seem to bother Henderson a bit.

"You can expect some more points on the board this year," Henderson said about some of the close losses last season.

Henderson was positive about the team's recent roster changes, including the addition of Dan Matha, a former Pitt Panther who transferred to IUP due to lack of playing time.

"Having [Matha] on our team this year is one good change," Henderson said. "But for the most part it's been the improvement overall as a team."