Freshman tailback Shai McKenzie is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee against Western Michigan.
McKenzie will have surgery in October when the swelling subsides. He tore the ACL in the same knee last September as a senior in high school. After enrolling at Tech in January to rehab, he quickly became one of Tech's rising stars as a true freshman, rushing for 106 yards in his college debut against William & Mary.
For the season, McKenzie had run for 269 yards and three touchdowns on 53 carries, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Marshawn Williams is expected to continue in his role as Tech's starter. The Tech coaches have a decision to make as to who will get carries as the #2 tailback. The options are r-sophomore Trey Edmunds, junior J.C. Coleman, and r-sophomore Joel Caleb. Edmunds is coming off a broken leg that he suffered last season against UVA. He led the Hokies in rushing a year ago with 675 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Those three backs have put up the following numbers this year...
J.C. Coleman: 13 carries, 36 yards, 2.3 ypc, 1 TD
Joel Caleb: 9 carries, 64 yards, 7.1 ypc, 3 catches for 23 yards
Trey Edmunds: 5 carries, 32 yards, 6.4 ypc