LSU Loses Starting Defensive End Andre Anthony For Season

BATON ROUGE -- Just when things were starting to turn up, LSU lost starting defensive end Andre Anthony for the season because of a left knee injury he suffered Saturday in the Tigers' 49-21 win over Central Michigan.

A senior from Karr High in New Orleans, Anthony had one tackle before he planted his left leg while rushing the quarterback in the second quarter and dropped to the ground. LSU trainers checked Anthony's knee, and he limped to the sideline. He never returned.

He had 3.5 sacks and four tackles for losses in three games on the season. Overall, the Tigers are No. 1 in the nation in sacks with 17 and in tackles for loss with 40.

"It's sad news. It really is," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Monday. "He's having a good season. He's going to be unavailable this season. What the next step is for him, we're going to find out."

Anthony started eight games last season and led the Tigers in sacks with 5.5.

"We absolutely love him," Orgeron said. "What an outstanding Tiger. What an outstanding leader."

LSU will likely rotate senior Ali Gaye and freshman Maason Smith at defensive end in Anthony's place. Sophomore BJ Ojulari, who is the other starting end, had 2.5 sacks against Central Michigan and is tied for the national lead in sacks with 4.5. He was named Southeastern Conference defensive lineman of the week on Monday.

LSU (2-1) plays at Mississippi State (2-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN.