A redshirt sophomore, Hayes tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a play in the third quarter, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Hayes will have surgery within the next two weeks and rehabilitation will take approximately nine months, according to Sebastianelli.
Hayes took a redshirt season as true freshman in 2005.
The former U.S. Army All-American from Bayonne High School had played in all seven games this season as a defensive end/outside linebacker. The 6-2, 235-pound Hayes made 17 tackles (10 solo) with three tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks for minus 13 yards this season on defense and special teams. Hayes made a career-best six stops (five solo) with a TFL at Michigan on Sept. 22.
During the 2006 season, Hayes played in eight games, missing five contests with an early season foot injury. He made five tackles last season on defense and special teams.
Coach Joe Paterno's squad improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten with the win over the Badgers. The Nittany Lions gained 437 yards and held Wisconsin to its lowest point total since a 30-7 loss to Iowa in 2004 and just 87 rushing yards on 34 attempts.
No. 25 Penn State visits Indiana (5-2, 2-2) for a critical conference clash on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The game will air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics.
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