Nov. 16, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Penn State running back Brandon Beachum (Youngstown, Ohio) will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in Saturday's 31-20 victory over Indiana.
A sophomore, Beachum tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Penn State's kickoff return to begin the second half, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Beachum will have surgery within the next two weeks and rehabilitation will take a minimum of nine months, according to Sebastianelli.
Beachum has played in every game this season on offense and special teams and has been an effective runner, receiver and blocker. He is fourth on the team in rushing with 113 yards on 24 carries (4.7) with one touchdown. Beachum scored on a two-yard run in the Nittany Lions' 34-13 win at Northwestern, gaining 25 yards on just four carries. He also has three receptions for 29 yards.
The former Cardinal Mooney High School standout played as a true freshman last season after enrolling in the University in January, 2008.
No. 14 (BCS) Penn State (9-2, 5-2) will travel to face Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 21 in the annual battle for the Land Grant Trophy. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Spartan Stadium. ABC will regionally televise the regular season finale and ESPN will air the game outside the ABC coverage area to the rest of the nation. The Spartans are 6-5 (4-3 in Big Ten) after rallying to win at Purdue, 40-37, on Saturday.