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| Tennessee coach Derek Dooley and the Vols not only lost to Florida 37-20 on Saturday, they also lost safety Brian Randolph for the season with a torn ACL. (US Presswire) |
Tennessee S Brian Randolph tore his ACL in Saturday's 37-20 loss to Florida and will miss the rest of the season, coach Derek Dooley confirmed at his Monday press conference.
Randolph, a sophomore, has started 15 games for the Vols over the past two seasons. Dooley has described him as the "quarterback of the defense" in the past. He has 77 tackles, one forced fumble and four passes broken up in his career.
He sustained the injury while trying to catch Florida WR Frankie Hammond on what turned out to be a 75-yard touchdown for the Gators. Randolph fell to the ground untouched after trying to adjust his angle on the play. He was unable to put any weight on his right leg as trainers helped him off the field.
He will be replaced by junior S Brent Brewer, a starter himself in 2011 until he tore his ACL against South Carolina in October of last season.
Brewer is a capable replacement, but it's another blow for the Vols and Dooley with matchups against top QBs such as Georgia's Aaron Murray and Alabama's AJ McCarron still on the schedule.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
