Aldo Giovanni Amato

agamato@dnj.com

MURFREESBORO — One of the worst things that could've happened to MTSU's offense this season has happened.

The Blue Raiders (6-3, 3-2 Conference USA), already hampered by injuries at wide receiver, lost sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill for the remainder of the regular season, the school announced Monday.

Stockstill broke his right collarbone on his non-throwing arm early in the second quarter of MTSU's 45-25 loss to Texas-San Antonio on Saturday.

Redshirt freshman John Urzua, who came on after Stockstill was injured, will start for the remainder of the season.

"(Brent) asked the doctors if he could go back in and play," an emotional coach Rick Stockstill, who is also Brent's father, said on Monday. "The doctors said no and that it could kill him.

"Brent asked if anyone had ever played with a (broken collarbone) and the doctors said no. Brent asked if he could be the first. I think that just shows the toughness and competitiveness he has for this team."

Rick Stockstill said Brent, who began physical rehab Monday, could try to work his way back to MTSU's bowl game but will coach from either the sideline or booth in the meantime.

The quarterback had surgery Sunday but was at Monday's weekly press conference and talked about how hard it was to not be out on the field.

"It's tough," he said, "not being out there for my guys.

"Coming out after halftime I tried to be there as much as I could. It's my job to be there, be a leader and be a coach on the field. If there is a positive, it's for me to help the guys and tell John what I'm seeing or coach what I'm seeing. Just being another set of eyes and I look forward to that."

Both Brent and Rick Stockstill said it's now time for the team to rally around Urzua, who will be making his first collegiate start on Saturday, at Marshall (2-7, 1-4).

"I think John is a tremendous talent and a great kid," Brent Stockstill said. "The special thing about this offense is that if you're just coachable and do what you are told to do, it's a simple game.

"I think after this week at practice, he'll do a great job this week. I don't think there will be any drop-off."

Brent Stockstill had 2,801 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions this year, ranking as one of the top quarterbacks in both Conference USA and the nation.

He was also MTSU's second-leading rusher with 42 carries and 232 yards.

He became MTSU's all-time passing touchdowns leader in a 42-35 win at Florida International and has 57 touchdowns as a Blue Raider.

Reach Aldo Amato at 615-278-5109 and on Twitter @Aldo_ Amato.

NEXT GAME

MTSU (6-3, 3-2 C-USA) at MARSHALL (2-7, 1-4)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

TV/radio: WUXP-30 / 102.5-FM, 89.5-FM