South Carolina star running back Marcus Lattimore has thrilled home crowds at Columbia for the last three seasons. He became an instant hero as a freshman when he rushed for 1,149 yards and 17 touchdowns. In his sophomore year he was on his way to eclipsing those numbers until an injury in the game against SEC rival Mississippi State sidelined him for the last six games of the season. Lattimore was off to another great start this year and even talked about as a candidate for the Heisman trophy. He started out strongly but he and the Gamecocks ran into problems two weeks in a row, first against LSU and then against the Florida Gators, when he rushed for only 48 total yards in both games because of a bruised hip. South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier said that Lattimore was 100% for the Tennessee game and that he would carry the load for the Gamecocks.
He suffered an apparent knee injury against Tennessee a few days ago.
Lattimore was running through the left side when he was struck around the knees by Volunteers defensive back Eric Gordon, Lattimore’s right leg whipping around and slamming against the turf. South Carolina trainers immediately rushed to his side, keeping Lattimore flat on his back as the junior attempted to sit up and see the injury. He was taken off the field on a cart and went to the hospital for further evaluation.
Lattimore missed the final six games of last season after tearing ligaments in his right knee against Mississippi State. He needed surgery and about six months of rehab before he was cleared to return to practice and only time will tell how serious this latest injury is and how long it will take the young star athlete to get back on a football field again. Lattimore had been considered prime material for the 2013 NFL draft. He would have had the chance to opt out of his final year at South Carolina and go directly to the NFL, probably for a very lucrative contract.
Players and fans alike who know Lattimore know him to be a good student, a great guy and a tireless volunteer. When this All-American candidate went down on the playing field against Tennessee, not only did his entire team surround him in sympathy but many of the his opponents players were there out of respect to this outstanding SEC athlete.
