Troy loses key player Kenny Mainor

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Troy’s defense took a major hit Saturday in a 28-10 loss to Ohio State, as it appears senior defensive end Kenny Mainor has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

By: Drew Champlin | Alabama's13.com
Published: September 21, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Troy’s defense took a major hit Saturday in a 28-10 loss to Ohio State, as it appears senior defensive end Kenny Mainor has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

If an MRI confirms the tear, the fifth-year senior’s season and career would likely be over.

“The doctors told me I tore my ACL,” Mainor said after the game.

It happened on the second-to-last play of the first half, when OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor was scrambling and was eventually sacked for a 16-yard loss by Brandon Lang.

Mainor was on the ground clutching his knee but jogged to the sideline. He came out in the second half in his warmups.

“I was chasing the quarterback and the offensive lineman peeled back,” Mainor said. “I was planted in the ground and my knee just buckled back.”

Mainor said that when the team got back to Troy, he would see a doctor for the official diagnosis. It’s unlikely that he could get a sixth year of eligibility since he redshirted his first year to get bigger and stronger.

“We’ll find out what a medical redshirt can do or what can be done,” Mainor said.

Mainor had to spend the second half as a cheerleader and had a towel over his head for the rest of the game.

“I’m just trying to support my guys,” Mainor said. “It hurt me inside, but I’ve got to come out and support my guys. Never mind how I feel.”

Last year, Troy lost Lang, a fellow defensive end, for the season in the third game. Lang and Cameron Sheffield played most of the rest of the snaps.

Junior college transfer Mario Addison is slated to redshirt this year, but those plans could change. The next available defensive ends are sophomore John Mark
Patrick, junior Jeremy Hawkins and freshman Brandon Boudreaux.

Cameron Sheffield and Mainor had been the two starters, with Lang rotating in.

“It hurts,” linebacker Bear Woods said. “Kenny is one of our most athletic players, period. It will give some young guys who have waited for their opportunity an opportunity to help the Troy Trojans, but hopefully we’ll hear good results on Kenny.”

Mainor has been a starter for much of his career, though he missed two games last year because of a suspension.

Also in the game, wide receiver Kennard Burton left with an ankle sprain and left guard Tyler Clark left with cramps.