Nebraska loses top OL Spencer Long likely for rest of year to knee injury

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska has lost its top offensive lineman, most likely for the rest of the year.

Coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday that Spencer Long will have surgery Thursday on his left knee. Long was hurt on the Huskers' fifth play from scrimmage on Saturday at Purdue. Nebraska won the game 44-7.

Long was an Outland Trophy candidate after making first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American in 2012.

Pelini says it looks like Long is gone for the year, "but the prognosis going forward's a little bit better."