After hurting his thumb against Wofford, quarterback Phil Bates’ status remains in question for Saturday’s game against Toledo.

The redshirt junior’s hand is steadily recovering and will be re-evaluated this week with an MRI, coach Frank Solich said. Bates fell on his hand after being tackled during the contest.

“He expects to play,” Solich said. “But we’ll see after it is evaluated.”

During his brief stint, Bates completed one of five passes and looked tentative throwing the ball. Solich attributed the lackluster passing performance to Bates’ perfectionist attitude.

“He was anxious,” Solich said. “He wanted everything to go perfect, and obviously that doesn’t happen in the sport of football.”

Bates ran the ball effectively, however, tallying 51 rushing yards on six attempts.

With Bates’ status unknown, the starting position is open as he and Boo Jackson compete for the spot. Jackson took over for Bates after his injury and completed seven of 12 passes for 97 yards.

Solich said both left something to be desired.

“We have some work to do at the quarterback spot,” he said. “We need to play with more consistency.”

Safety Gerald Moore and wide receiver Lavon Brazill are also questionable for Toledo. Brazill missed the Wofford game with a leg injury, and Moore injured his foot early in the contest.

Jackson Sentimental

Following his performance against Wofford, Jackson showed his emotional side.

The redshirt senior quarterback was close to tears when talking about his journey back into the Bobcat lineup after missing almost all of last season with a torn labrum.

“Honestly, I can’t explain it with words,” Jackson said. “It’s an emotional time, especially since I’m a senior now.”

Jackson injured his shoulder against North Texas last season and has steadily recovered from the injury. The quarterback said his recovery is going according to plan and his arm feels better every week.

“Once I have that first game under my belt, I feel like it will be perfectly fine,” Jackson said. “I’m a little sore, but it’s nothing major.”

Rushing Attack Emerging

With Vince Davidson currently being the team’s only experienced running back because of Donte Harden’s six-game suspension, the Bobcats have questions regarding their backfield.

The performances by Ryan Boykin and Dallas Brown might quell the doubts for the moment, though. Boykin rushed for 61 yards and nine carries when spelling Davidson and had an impressive 17-yard run for his first career touchdown as a Bobcat.

“It was exciting,” Boykin said. “After redshirting last year, it felt amazing to be out there.”

Brown, a junior transfer from Western Arizona, took the final snaps of the game and rushed for 34 yards on five carries. His 13-yard touchdown run sealed the win for the Bobcats at 33-10.