Coming into the 2005 football season, the Sac State defense was counting on defensive end Jacob Houston to be one of the focal points of their attack, but because of a back injury, last year’s second team all-Big Sky performer will be forced to sit out the remainder of the season and play his senior season next year.

“The best thing for him is to not play through the pain and be 100-percent healthy by the time spring practice comes around next year,” said head coach Steve Mooshagian. “We expect him to make a full recovery and be bigger, faster and stronger than before.”

Houston, who finished second in the conference with 10 sacks in 2004, will be a medical redshirt this year and has another year left of eligibility.

The Sanger, Calif., native played in only 22 plays of the first two games this year before going to the sidelines for good.

“Playing in those two games I wasn’t even close to being the same player that I was before the injury,” Houston said.

“I felt that it was best for me and the team to sit out a year and get ready to go for next season. I should be ready by the spring, but at the worst the fall.”

Houston said he didn’t want to let the rest of his teammates down by trying to play through the pain. He has been impressed by the guys who’ve been filling in for him so far.

“The defense hasn’t really missed a beat,” he said. “They haven’t missed anything with me not being in there.”

He has begun rehabbing with strength and conditioning coach Mark Shrum with the goal of being able to go for spring practice.

Last season, Houston had 33 tackles and was named all-Big Sky and ranked third in the conference with 14 tackles for a loss.