Fisher Likely Done, Thomas Questionable

Bloomington – Barring a sweep of Indiana’s final two games, Ray Fisher’s IU football career is likely done.

The 5’9” senior cornerback was injured on the first play of the Oct. 31 game at Iowa and underwent minor knee surgery last Wednesday. He’s already been ruled out of this weekend’s game at Penn State, and IU Coach Bill Lynch said it’s highly improbable that he’ll be able to play in next weekend’s finale against Purdue.

“You see him bouncing around out there and he’s such a positive guy,” Lynch said. “I’d love for that to happen, but we’re not counting on that.”

Fisher’s absence has been noticeable in the IU secondary the last two weeks. Against Iowa, Hawkeye quarterback Ricky Stanzi bounced back from a four-interception third quarter and threw touchdown passes of 66 and 92 yards in the fourth quarter to lead Iowa’s comeback. Last weekend, Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien was 11-of-20 for 194 yards, statistics that could have been much better if it wasn’t for a couple of drops from his wideouts.

In Fisher’s absence, Adrian Burks has stepped into the starting lineup, where he’s been starting opposite Donnell Jones. Jones continues to play with an elbow brace due to an injury he suffered last month against Illinois.

“I thought Adrian Burks has played two weeks in a row and I thought he played pretty well last week,” Lynch said. “He didn’t give up any big plays, and I thought he was pretty solid…Donnell Jones has shown really good toughness. In theory he’s about playing with one arm out there. But he’s done a good job.”

In addition to Fisher, fellow senior Austin Thomas is also questionable this week due to a shoulder injury suffered against Wisconsin. It’s just the latest injury to an IU secondary that has had its share this season.

“We’ve gotten hit pretty good (with injuries in the secondary),” Lynch said. “In all honesty we’ve been pretty fortunate with injuries versus what we went through a year ago where we got hit everywhere. This year it’s really been in the secondary.”