Sports

Carbondale, IL (Sports Network) - Southern Illinois senior safety Mike McElroy will miss the remainder of the season because of an ankle injury that was sustained in a loss at Illinois on Sept. 11.

The loss is a major blow for the Salukis (1-3, 0-1), who are off to a slow start as the defending champions in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. McElroy, who will undergo surgery on his ankle, entered the season as a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is sponsored by Fathead.com and presented to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS.

Southern Illinois will apply for a medical redshirt season for McElroy, who has not taken a redshirt year.

McElroy is the third starter in SIU's defensive backfield who has been lost for the season with an injury. He joins free safety Rashad Graham and cornerback James McFadden, who both have knee injuries.

McElroy led the MVFC with seven interceptions in 2009. In less than two games this season, he had nine tackles and one interception.

09/27 12:24:10 ET