EUGENE, Ore., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A left-knee injury Thursday night against Arizona has ended the college career of University of Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon.
An MRI Friday revealed Dixon suffered a full ligament tear after trying to play with the ligament already partially torn.
The 6-foot-4 inch senior from Oakland, Calif., a likely candidate for the Heisman Trophy, suffered the partial tear Nov. 3 in the Arizona State game.
The Oregonian reported Dixon asked team doctors and Coach Mike Bellotti to keep the injury quiet because he wanted to try to continue to play, and Bellotti added Dixon and his family were fully aware of the situation.
"I want to commend Dennis for his courage and support of his teammates in his attempt to overcome his personal setback," Bellotti said in a statement. "Any decisions he made were purely in the interest of his teammates and not motivated by any personal gains."
The quarterback showed no ill effects on a 39-yard touchdown run on Oregon's first possession, but later in the first quarter, the knee buckled under him as he was trying to escape the pocket during a passing play.
He had guided the Ducks to an 8-1 record -- 5-1 in the Pac 10 -- and a No. 2 national ranking.
