Sept. 27, 2011
NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt starting linebacker Tristan Strong will miss the rest of the season after suffering a leg injury Saturday in the South Carolina game.
Strong, a redshirt junior from Loganville, Ga., suffered the injury just before halftime covering a Commodore punt. It marks the second time in three years that Strong has sustained a leg injury that prematurely ended his season.
The injury to Strong opens the door for Archibald Barnes (R-Jr., Tampa, Fla.) to earn more playing time in the Commodore linebacking corps. Barnes was solid as Strong’s replacement Saturday, contributing a career-high seven tackles, contributing with a tackle for loss, and forcing one fumble.
Strong was enjoying his finest season as a Commodore prior to the injury. His solo tackle total (13) is third best on the team behind fellow linebackers Chris Marve and Chase Garnham. He is tied for third with safeties Kenny Ladler and Sean Richardson with 16 total tackles. Both tackle totals represent single-season career highs for Strong.
The Commodores, 3-1, 1-1 in SEC play, are idle this Saturday. They will next face nationally ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. CT.
