Depth will be the factor when Arkansas State visits DeKalb and faces a Huskie team minus split end Otha Brooks, Saturday.

Brooks was put out late in the fourth quarter in Indiana last Saturday. His collar bone was snapped on a hard hit after catching a pass for a 15-yard gain, and he should be out for 4-6 weeks.

The sophomore didn’t see much playing time last year, but the times he did get in the game gave him enough experience to take over the starting role at split end this season.

Brooks was expected to dazzle this year, and already had two decent starts. Thus far, he leads the Huskies in receiving with 74 yards on five catches, with an average of 14.8 yards per catch.

Brooks is also a potential threat in kickoff and punt returns. He is currently second on the Huskies with 70 yards returned after kicks.

Although they are losing potential yardage with the absence of Brooks, head coach Charlie Sadler believes the Huskies will have no problem filling his shoes.

“Everyone on this team is essential, and Brooks is certainly essential,” Sadler said.

If there is one category the Huskies prove to own depth, it is their receivers.

Senior Steve Rogers, Brooks’ back-up at split end, is the main punt returner for the Huskies, and will probably be the number one kick returner while Brooks is out.

Rogers, who hasn’t proven to be threatening returning punts (6 for 5 yards), returned two kickoffs last week for 58 yards, and now leads the Huskies in that category with 78 yards.

At the split end position the Huskies may be dividing the playing time between Rogers and junior Sean Allgood, who has two catches for 27 yards thus far.

There is no doubt that Brooks will be missed during the next month, but the Huskies have enough speed in their offensive attack to make up for the difference.

Although some may have not noticed, the Huskies do have a solid offense with a potential to put plenty of points on the board.

Flankerback Vaurice Patterson is second in receiving for the Huskies with 73 yards on six catches. There is no doubt Crabtree will be looking to Patterson to fill the void left by Brooks.

If Crabtree doesn’t want to throw to Patterson, he can always look for Raymond Roberts. The senior tight end has caught seven passes for 69 yards this year, and was fourth in receiving for the Huskies in 1992.

If all else fails, and the Huskies desperately need a pass, they can always turn their premier tailback, LeShon Johnson. Johnson has great acceleration, and although he may not be looked at downfield, he can get a short pass or even a screen and turn it into a big gain.

When the Huskies begin their Big West campaign, the offense will have an opportunity to show off against a conference not known for their defense.