Hokies Tailback Evans to Miss Season with ACL Tear

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech will have a new starting tailback in a season of great expectations after Darren Evans tore a ligament in his left knee during practice.

The school says the redshirt sophomore will miss the season after Tuesday's injury to the ACL.

Team trainer Mike Goforth said Evans had an MRI at Montgomery Regional Hospital and will be re-evaluated later this week to see when reconstructive surgery will be performed. He said he hopes to do it soon to allow Evans to get started on rehabilitation before classes begin.

Evans started just eight games for the Hokies last season but led the team with 1,265 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He set a school record with 253 rushing yards in a Thursday night victory against Maryland, and was the MVP of the Orange Bowl after gaining 153 yards.

Evans became the first Virginia Tech player to score a touchdown in each of his first six games, and was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection for 2008.

His loss means that redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, Josh Oglesby or highly regarded freshman David Wilson will be the starter. Only Oglesby has carried the ball in a game.