Unga to play with a broken hand

Harvey Unga broke his hand on one of the first plays of Saturday’s first conference game, a win over Colorado State. He then played the rest of the game and scored 3 touchdowns and gained 114 yards.

Bronco Mendenhall said the injury was to Unga’s pinky and does not require an operation and he should be OK.

Unga took full practice reps Monday and Tuesday and appeared to wear a wrap and a glove on the hand. He stood with Mansase Tonga induring a late-practice drill Tuesday at the end of practice.

Unga’s injury occurred when he went downfield to throw a block and his hand caught in the shoulder pad of a CSU player. The player went one way and Unga went the other.

The injury is on the knuckle of his hand and is described as a hairline fracture. It will not require surgery and he is not expected to miss Friday’s game against Utah State in LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Unga is the second-leading rusher in the Mountain West even though he missed the Oklahoma game due to a nagging hamstring muscle pull he suffered in August camp before the season.

In three games, Unga has gained 227 yards on 35 carries for 4 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and averages 76 yards per game.