Reggie Ball admitted to the hospital

Redshirt freshman Taylor Bennett gets the start. :1peekdoor

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2164614

 

I appreciate everyone's concern.

 

He'll be back for the Hokie game. Quit yer bellyachin'.

 

Tech QB receives treatment for viral meningitis

ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was diagnosed with viral meningitis Sunday, but coach Chan Gailey said he would consider playing Ball in some if not all of this weekend's ACC showdown against No. 4 Virginia Tech.

Ball was being treated at Emory University Hospital, where he was expected to remain a second night. The school said the extra night was mainly a precaution.

Ball, a junior, became ill Friday and was hospitalized the following morning, just hours before the Yellow Jackets defeated Connecticut 28-13 to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2001.

Redshirt freshman Taylor Bennett started in Ball's place, throwing a touchdown on his first college pass but completing only 11-of-30 for 142 yards. No. 15 Georgia Tech would be a major underdog against the Hokies if Ball cannot play in Saturday's game in Blacksburg, Va.

Gailey said in a statement that his staff "will take every precaution before allowing Reggie to return to practice." Later on Sunday, Gailey told ESPN's Joe Schad he is hopeful that Ball will be able to suit up.

"Once his symptoms clear he'll be able to go back incrementally," Gailey said. "In his mind he is going to be back fairly quickly."

Viral meningitis is commonly found in college environments and is not nearly as serious as bacterial meningitis.

Ball does not need to be quarantined and presents no danger to teammates or other students. He is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday and be treated day-to-day according to his symptoms.

The school does not know when Ball will be able to practice.

"If we have to go without Reggie we'll just all have to pitch in," Georgia Tech running back P.J. Daniels said Sunday. "We want to make sure Reggie is fine and we'll worry about everything else after."

Gailey said he believed Ball listened to a radio broadcast of Georgia Tech's game against Connecticut. Ball, Gailey said, even asked a coach who visited him how Virginia Tech's defense looks (the Hokies have posted consecutive shutouts).

Ball, who threw for a career-best 320 yards the previous week in a victory over North Carolina, had started 27 straight games in his college career. He became ill Friday morning and was treated at the school's student health center.

While at the team hotel Friday night, his condition did not improve. His roommate, Bennett, said Ball was up much of the night, complaining of headaches and constantly asking for water. He was taken to the hospital Saturday morning

 

Hopefully.

 

Really. Sucky timing.