Ingram's Heisman Campaign Delayed

By Justin Worsley

Mark Ingram has already encountered a speed bump in his quest to win a second Heisman Trophy. The junior tailback from Alabama will not play in the Crimson Tide's season opener again San Jose State after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Tuesday morning.

Ingram injured his knee during practice on Monday. There is no set timetable for Ingram's return.

While the No. 1 Crimson Tide will be heavily favored over San Jose State, who went 2-10 last season, they host No. 19 Penn State on September 11.

Filling in for Ingram will be sophomore Trent Richardson. Richardson ran for 751 yards and eight touchdowns last season primarily as Ingram's backup.

Ingram became the third consecutive sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. Ingram ran for a team-record 1,658 yards and 20 total touchdowns as Alabama won the National Title. The 5-10, 215-pound running back was trying to become the second player in college football history to win two Heisman Trophies. Ohio State's Archie Griffin won college football's most prestigious award in 1974-75.

Last year, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford tried to repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner. Bradford receiver no votes after injuring his shoulder twice during the season and only playing in three games.

Aside from Richardson, only freshman Eddie Lacey is on the team's depth chart for running back. Alabama also faces No. 17 Arkansas and No. 4 Florida within the first five weeks of the season.