University Park, Pa. — Penn State starting safety Nick Sukay (Mount Pleasant) will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in last Saturday's clash with Illinois.
Sukay becomes the third Nittany Lion starter to suffer a season-ending injury in the past three weeks. Senior tackle Lou Eliades (Ocean, N.J.) tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the win over Temple on Sept. 25. In the Oct. 2 game at Iowa, redshirt freshman tight end Garry Gilliam tore the ACL in his left knee.
A starter in all 19 games the past two seasons, Sukay was injured on the opening kickoff against Illinois, as he tackled Illini returner Jack Ramsey, forcing a fumble at the visitors' 20-yard-line.
Sukay will have surgery this week and rehabilitation will take a minimum of six months, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine.
A standout at Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Sukay had grabbed three interceptions in the past two games and remains tied for the Big Ten lead with his three picks. Despite suffering the serious injury, Sukay continued to play, making three tackles vs. Illinois, before leaving the game in the first half.
For the season, Sukay had made 29 tackles, with a team-high three interceptions and a forced fumble. He made two picks vs. Temple and another at Iowa, giving him five career interceptions.
Due to volume of injuries this season and media requests for injury updates, the Penn State medical staff Tuesday (Oct. 12) provided this update:
Out for season:
T Lou Eliades (knee)
TE Garry Gilliam (knee)
Safety Nick Sukay (pectoral)
Out for minimum of two weeks:
WR Curtis Drake (leg)
DE Eric Latimore (wrist)
TE Andrew Szczerba (back)
Possible for Minnesota game:
DE Jack Crawford (foot)
Safety Andrew Dailey (stinger)
LB Bani Gbadyu (calf)
DT Jordan Hill (ankle)
LB Gerald Hodges (leg)
LB Michael Mauti (ankle)
Coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions are idle this week and visit Minnesota on Oct. 23. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT/noon ET at TCF Bank Stadium. The clash will air on ESPNU, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.