UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert did not practice Tuesday but said his knee has improved enough to give him hope of playing Saturday against Central Florida.
“It feels better,” Gilbert said. “I’ve got full range of motion. I’m doing everything I can to play Saturday.”
Gilbert was leading the nation in total offense when he suffered a sprained left MCL against South Florida on Nov. 23.
Redshirt freshman Neal Burcham completed 27 of 52 passes for 212 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in last Saturday’s 34-0 loss to Houston, his first college start.
If Gilbert is cleared, he will be wearing a brace on his left knee.
“We’ll see how he is on Wednesday and Thursday, but he’s a lot better,” coach June Jones said. “He’s got 100 percent movement. He’s still a little swollen, but he’s not on crutches and he’s got his knee brace off.”
Asked what Gilbert needs to do to show he’s ready, Jones said, “That he can run. I don’t want to put him in there if he can’t defend himself if they come after him.”
The Mustangs (5-6, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) must beat league leader BCS No. 16 Central Florida (10-1) on Saturday at Ford Stadium to be eligible for their fifth straight bowl.
Although Burcham is preparing as the starter, Gilbert was doing training exercises as the team went through a light workout. Jones will probably make the decision after Thursday’s practice.
Jones said Burcham will benefit from the experience of playing an entire game.
“He hung in there, he did some good things,” Jones said. “He did what a young quarterback does: When things happened and he wasn’t ready, he did not go through his progressions. He kind of looked like Garrett did the first time Garrett played last year.”
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SMU’s Garrett Gilbert: “I’m doing everything I can to play Saturday”
