Injury Update: Ole Miss linebacker MoMo Sanogo
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss lost a huge part of its defense Saturday when junior linebacker MoMo Sanogo suffered an injury against Arkansas. Our sources tell us the initial diagnosis is a broken right fibula with a torn ligament.
For now, we are hearing MoMo’s surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, and we will keep you updated as we learn more.
MoMo Sanogo
As a true freshman in 2017, MoMo appeared in 11 games and made eight tackles. His breakout season came last year when he started in all twelve games at linebacker and led the Rebels with 112 tackles, placing him fifth in the SEC in total tackles. Last year, against Auburn and Texas A&M, Sanogo tallied 16 tackles in each game—the most tackles in a game by an Ole Miss Rebel since Tony Fein did it in 2007.
Entering 2019, Sanogo was placed on the 2019 Butkus Award Watch List for the the top linebacker in the country. He was also named to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team by Lindy’s and the Preseason All-SEC Fourth Team by Athlon and Phil Steele.
After the game Saturday, defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre was asked how things change if he doesn’t have MoMo on the field. “Well, it changes a lot,” MacIntyre began.
“You know, he is the voice of us in there (in the game). He’s a great leader.“
DC Mike MacIntyre on MoMo Sanogo
Coach MacIntyre was moved by the number of players who were concerned about MoMo when the Plano, Texas native was injured last night.
“As you saw, everybody on the defense went out there to see him. I thought that’s very unique. I haven’t seen that many times. So, they really care about him and care about what’s going on.“
Coach MacIntyre on the concerns for MoMo from his teammates
With MoMo out for what we can imagine would be the remainder of the season, the Rebels will look for the rest of the inside linebacker corps to step up as they did after MoMo left the game last night.
Donta Evans, Jacquez Jones, Willie Hibbler and Lakia Henry are all playing incredibly well–Jacquez Jones led the team in tackles against the Hogs.
Look for inside LB coach Jeff Koonz to continue to get the most out of these talented players–and look for MoMo to be on the sideline, cheering them on and helping in any way he can.
Our continued prayers for MoMo.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
