USC Trojans' Hershel Dennis Goes Down Again

Hershel Dennis, a running back for the University of Southern California, has encountered another terrible experience detrimental to his time with the Trojans. During Tuesday's practice, Dennis slipped while trying to cut on the wet surface of USC's artificial turf at Cromwell Field. An MRI revealed that Dennis had torn ligaments in his left knee which will force him to sit out the entire 2006 season.

Dennis - whose career at USC started off bright - has experienced countless setbacks over the past few seasons. During the 2003 season, Dennis started every game ahead of Reggie Bush and LenDale White.

During the 2004 season, Dennis lost his starting position and was also accused of rape, although he was later cleared of those allegations. Dennis tore ligaments in his left knee that same season during a practice leading up to the Orange Bowl.

Heading into the 2006 season, things were looking up for the fifth-year senior who was the projected starter for the Trojans. A hamstring injury kept him out of practice until Tuesday when he injured his knee in his first practice back. USC is planning on applying for a sixth year of eligibility for Dennis.

With Dennis now out and Desmond Reed already out with an ACL injury, the Trojans will need to turn to Michael Coleman, a backup last year who only ran the ball twenty times for ninety-five yards and a touchdown. Coleman, however, is still recovering from a hip operation.