Columbia, SC – South Carolina Gamecock running backs ending knee injuries on Saturday.
"Our worst fears were realized. Marcus has a torn ligament and a little bit of cartilage damage in there," said Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier in his weekly teleconference on Sunday. "It's a very unfortunate, flukish-type injury that occurred yesterday.
"Matt Coffee, backup fullback and kickoff cover team guy, also tore a ligament. Injuries is part of the game. "We really think Marcus will be back next year as strong as ever."
Lattimore left the 14-12 win over Mississippi State in Starkville with what was originally termed a sprained left knee, running for 39 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries before departing in the fourth quarter.
The sophomore managed to become the 15th player in school annals to reach the 2,000-yard mark. He finishes the year with 818 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on 163 attempts.
Both players will undergo surgery in a couple weeks.
True freshman Brandon Wilds has been tabbed as Lattimore's likely replacement for the 6-1 Gamecocks' next contest, on October 29 in Knoxville against Tennessee.
