RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University sophomore strong safety Scooter Asel suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee in the second quarter of Saturday's EKU-Middle Tennessee game and will be lost for the season, following surgery to repair the damage next Friday (Oct. 9).

Asel, 6-0, 205 pounds, suffered a similar injury to his left knee last season in the season opener at Troy State and was lost for the remainder of the 1997 season following surgery. He had worked hard in the off-season, strengthening his left knee and was a major contributor to EKU's defense in the early part of this '98 season.

"This is just a shame that this has happened to Scooter again," said EKU head coach Roy Kidd. "He contributes so much to our football team in his play and his leadership on the field. This is a major loss for our defense."

Asel, a native of Plano, TX, was third on the team this season in total tackles with 17 solo tackles and five assists. He also had caused two fumbles and had intercepted a pass this year, while starting each game at strong safety.

Free safety Shawn Gallant sprained his ankle in the MTSU game, but should be ready to play by the Colonels' next contest, an Oct. 10 home date with Tennessee State. Also expected back for TSU from a sprained ankle suffered in the last part of the Western Kentucky contest is junior tailback Derick Logan.

Redshirt freshman Nick Sullivan and junior college transfer Remond Goode are now in line for play at the strong safety spot. Should Gallant not be ready to play next Saturday, Goode would probably start at free safety and Sullivan would get the nod at strong safety.

Eastern has an open date on Oct. 3 and returns to action Oct. 10 in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Roy Kidd Stadium against Tennessee State. Tickets to EKU's home games are available weekdays by visiting the EKU Athletics Ticket Office in Room 126 of Alumni Coliseum or by phoning (606) 622-2122 or 1-800-162-7493, inside Kentucky.

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