The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Leg injury sidelines Lokey
10.23.2006 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas -- Junior defensive tackle Derek Lokey (Denton, Texas/Ryan HS) sustained a fibula fracture to his lower left leg in Texas' 22-20 victory at No. 16 Nebraska on Saturday and will be out indefinitely, Texas Football athletic trainer Kenny Boyd said Monday. Lokey will undergo surgery later this week.
Lokey, who started all eight games at defensive tackle this season, was injured late in the second quarter on Saturday. He has 24 tackles (12 solo), four tackles for loss, a half sack, nine QB pressures and a fumble recovery on the year. Lokey matched his career-high with four tackles (three solo) in the victory at Nebraska.
"It's an unfortunate situation, but I'm going to try and make the best of it," Lokey said. "The defense has been playing great and we have a lot of talent, so I'm sure someone will step up. I'll definitely find a way to contribute to this team while I'm out, whether it is helping coach with the defensive tackles or being a positive influence in the locker room."
In three seasons, the 6-2, 280-pound tackle has played in 29 games and posted 51 tackles (25 solo), nine TFL, two sacks and 16 pressures. A two-time member of UT's Athletics Directors Honor Roll (3.0 grade point average) and an active member of the Longhorns community service program, Lokey earned second-team Academic All-Big 12 honors last season.
"This is an unfortunate setback for Derek and our defense," said Mack Brown. "He has established himself as one of the key contributors to our defensive front and as one of the leaders in that group. It will be important that someone steps up and fill his void for us to continue to be one of the best defenses in the country."
