Helena native Hustad ends career because of injury

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By by Doug Haller

Story Published: Aug 31, 2010 at 3:39 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2010 at 3:39 PM MST

by Doug Haller - Aug. 11, 2010

Matt Hustad, who began camp as a projected starter at left guard, has decided to end his Arizona State football career because of pain in his knees.

Hustad, a redshirt junior, suffered a torn right ACL as a freshman. Last year he injured his left knee against Oregon, missing the rest of the season and all of spring practice. When camp started Aug. 4, Hustad practiced with the first team for five consecutive sessions.

On Monday he was out with swelling in his left knee and never returned.

"It's a sad thing for him," coach Dennis Erickson said. "(We) had a long conversation and he just felt that coming in he was going to see how it was, and then it swelled up on him and was too painful to play. The game's hard enough. He's done a lot. He'll always be a Sun Devil. I feel bad for him because he could've contributed and helped us but that's how it goes."

The loss is the latest blow for a line that has battled injuries the past two seasons. In the spring, ASU lost three-year starter Jon Hargis to an ACL injury, although Hargis could return later this season. Zach Schlink, talented enough to play as a true freshman, decided to end his career before camp because of knee issues.

With Hustad out, the Sun Devils changed their line Tuesday, moving 6-foot-7, 345-pound junior Brice Schwab to right guard. Junior Adam Tello was at left guard Wednesday, with junior Dan Knapp and red-shirt freshman Evan Finkenberg at the tackles. If that line stays in tact, ASU's front will open the season with just 14 career starts, 10 coming from center Garth Gerhart.

"It hurts our depth, there's no question about it," Erickson said. "With (Hustad), we were two-deep and now ... we have to look at our freshmen. So we'll see what happens. We prepared for it all summer and that's part of the reason we made (Tuesdays' moves) because you never knew what was going to happen with (Hustad's) knees."

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2010/08/11/20100811arizona-state-matt-hustad-retires.html#ixzz0yE3ums00

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