Lyons out for the season

Torn knee ligaments end college career

By Chip Cosby / ccosby@herald-leader.com

The collegiate career of Kentucky receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. is over after an MRI revealed a torn posterior cruciate ligament and a torn medial collateral ligament.

Lyons suffered the injury in the second quarter of UK's 24-17 loss to South Carolina Saturday when he came down awkwardly after an 8-yard catch to the Gamecocks 2-yard line.

Lyons is expected to undergo surgery next week and will begin rehab shortly afterward. Brooks estimated the rehab time to be at least eight or nine months and possibly a year. Lyons is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in communications and leadership development.

"I feel bad for Dicky. He's had a great career and made a lot of great plays," UK Coach Rich Brooks said. "He's a crowd favorite who's meant a lot to the program. To see his career end in that manner is obviously disappointing."

Lyons is Kentucky's leading receiver this season with 33 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in receptions per game. He is fifth in school history in career receptions (141), fourth in career receiving yards (1,752) and tied for third in career touchdown receptions with 18.

Lyons said Monday he plans to be on the sidelines as soon as he is able and will help tutor UK's inexperienced receiving corps.

Chip Cosby