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Freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be out for the season after suffering a torn ACL during the second half of Saturday’s game against Penn State, head coach Tom Allen announced at his weekly press conference on Monday.
Michael Penix has a torn ACL. Out for the season, obviously. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) October 22, 2018
Penix saw his first playing time of the Big Ten season on Saturday, going 9-for-19 for 94 yards while rushing twice for 24. The second of those two rushes, though, is where Penix suffered the injury.
Allen noted that J-Shun Harris, who has suffered multiple knee injuries of his own, will serve as a mentor for Penix through the injury recovery.
Allen: "Had a great talk with him yesterday. Know he's hurting and discouraged and down, but it's one of those things you have to deal with. He has a great mentor in J-Shun Harris. ... Our thoughts and prayers are with him in his recovery."
— Mike Miller (@MikeMillerHT) October 22, 2018
Allen said the target is to have Penix ready for 7-on-7 drills in the spring before going ‘full bore’ in June.
Allen says the goal is to have Penix ready to throw 7 on 7 for spring football. That's probably the most he can do by then, but he'd at least be back to throw, and be "100 percent, full bore" on June 1. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) October 22, 2018
Penix will be able to redshirt this season medically, making him a redshirt freshman next season. Reese Taylor is now listed as the back-up quarterback from the Hoosiers moving forward.