UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State starting outside linebacker Michael Mauti (Mandeville, La.) will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in Saturday’s victory over Eastern Michigan.
A redshirt junior, Mauti tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the first quarter, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Mauti will have surgery within the next two weeks and rehabilitation will take a minimum of nine months, according to Sebastianelli.
Senior cornerback D’Anton Lynn (Celina, Texas) also was injured during the game and was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center. Lynn’s head, neck and spinal column were examined and he was released late Saturday afternoon. He will be evaluated throughout the upcoming week by the Penn State medical staff.
The Nittany Lions’ leading tackler this season, Mauti suffered a serious knee injury for the second time. During pre-season practice in August 2009, he tore his right ACL and missed the entire season. He took a medical redshirt in 2009 after playing as a true freshman in 2008.
A pre-season first-team All-Big Ten choice and Butkus Award candidate, Mauti entered the Eastern Michigan game with a team-high 20 tackles and tied for the team lead with 3.0 tackles for loss. The former Mandeville High School All-American made a career-high 13 hits vs. No. 3 Alabama on Sept. 10. Mauti recorded six solo tackles in the Sept. 17 win at Temple, tying his career-high with 3.0 TFL, and made a diving interception that led to the game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.
For the season, Mauti is tied with Devon Still for the team lead with 21 tackles. Mauti also is tied for the team lead with one interception and three pass break-ups is third in minus-yardage hits.
Penn State (3-1) will travel to Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET in Memorial Stadium. The clash will air on ESPNU, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
A limited number of tickets remain for Penn State’s home games with Iowa (Oct. 8), Purdue (Oct. 15-Homecoming) and unbeaten Illinois (Oct. 29). The Senior Day clash with unbeaten Nebraska contest (Nov. 12) is sold out. Tickets are available at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or by calling 1-814-865-5555 weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
