HuskerJosh Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4392725 Virginia Tech leading rusher Darren Evans, who set several school records as a freshman, will miss the entire season with a torn left ACL he suffered in practice on Tuesday, the school announced. It's a huge blow to a young team that was ranked No. 7 in the preseason USA Today coaches' poll and was expected to contend for the national title for the first time in a decade. ACC blog Dinich ESPN.com's Heather Dinich writes about all things ACC in her conference blog. • Blog network: College Football Nation "Darren Evans suffered a left knee ACL tear this afternoon," head athletic trainer Mike Goforth said in a prepared statement. "He was evaluated by Dr. Marc Siegel and Dr. Gunnar Brolinson and received an MRI at Montgomery Regional Hospital that showed the ACL tear. He will be re-evaluated later this week to see when the ACL reconstruction surgery will take place. Our hope is to be able to repair the knee prior to classes starting so that he can get started on his rehab and continue his course work. "Obviously we are all saddened by the results of his MRI, but we all know what type of young man Darren is and we have no doubt that he will come back stronger than ever." Evans was part of a crowded Virginia Tech backfield, so there is experience behind him, but none of the other players are as accomplished as Evans, who was the MVP of the Orange Bowl and rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He originally sprained his knee in Friday's practice. Evans' 11 touchdowns set school freshman records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, and he set a Tech single-game record for rushing with 253 yards against Maryland. He also established an ACC Championship game rushing mark with 114 yards. Highly touted redshirt freshman Ryan Williams is now in a position to follow a similar path Evans did last year, when Evans took over for injured starter Kenny Lewis Jr. Williams stole the spotlight in spring practices and was expected to see significant playing time this fall. Josh Oglesby, a redshirt sophomore who saw some playing time last year, is listed as second on the preseason depth chart behind Evans, with Williams third. Lewis is another option, but he's been struggling to recover from a torn Achilles. Virginia Tech held a scrimmage at the end of practice on Tuesday, and it foreshadowed what the Hokies' situation at running back will now look like with Williams and freshman David Wilson leading the way. Because the coaches used the scrimmage to look at the younger players, Oglesby did not play. Wilson, the true freshman from Danville, Va., who has impressed everyone in the program with his athleticism this summer, led with 46 yards on six carries, while Williams, a redshirt freshman, added 31 yards on five carries. Zac Evans, a walk-on, rushed seven times for 26 yards. Quote Link to comment
eliot1171 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 He's a sophomore right? Quote Link to comment
Smashmouth Football Baby Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Ouch. Best of luck to him. Have a good season Williams, just don't warm up too fast.. Is it just me, or are they destined to have key players out for both of our match ups? Last year weren't they missing three WR's to injury and legalities? Quote Link to comment
zoogs Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 What the heck? This seems to happen a LOT to VT. Remember last year? Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 He's a sophomore right? Yeah, Redshirt sophomore and he led them in rushing last year. They have some pretty talented running backs to lean on, but he's a big loss. This is really too bad - we want Tech to be as formidable and highly ranked as possible when we play them. Quote Link to comment
Touchdown Tommie Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Man, that is too bad. I wish him the best and hope that he can fully recover from the injury. I am sure they have someone in the wings waiting to fill in. Quote Link to comment
HuskerJosh Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Man, that is too bad. I wish him the best and hope that he can fully recover from the injury. I am sure they have someone in the wings waiting to fill in. Read the article Highly touted freshman is expected to step in. Quote Link to comment
rkhufu7 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Man, that is too bad. I wish him the best and hope that he can fully recover from the injury. I am sure they have someone in the wings waiting to fill in. They ALWAYS got RBs and DEFENSE!!! Quote Link to comment
redout22 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Well they still have Tyrod Taylor so they can still run it. Best of luck to him though Quote Link to comment
Micheal Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 not good anytime anyone has an injuy, especially a tear like this, wish him the best of luck recovering Quote Link to comment
walksalone Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 He's a sophomore right? Yeah, Redshirt sophomore and he led them in rushing last year. They have some pretty talented running backs to lean on, but he's a big loss. This is really too bad - we want Tech to be as formidable and highly ranked as possible when we play them. Exactly, I wouldn't want VT half steppin when they go to Blacksburg... Quote Link to comment
MCAT800 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 That sucks, best wishes for a fast and complete recovery. Quote Link to comment
HSKRNOKC Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Reality says it should help our chances. My heart says I wish he was there so there would be no doubts if we pull it off. Quote Link to comment
Danimal Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 That blows, kid was probably looking at a 1500yd year. Bama has to like their odds now. Quote Link to comment
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