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NORMAN, Oklahoma – Junior forward Okney Clinton will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, a huge blow to the chances of the playoffs.
The team announced the injury Sunday.
"We are heartbroken for him," said Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley in a statement. "He's overcame his career so much that if anyone can do it again, that's Rodney, he's played a lot of football and he's got a lot more ahead of him." He's just a person and a great player and we will miss him but we know he will be with us every step of the way as a team captain and that other players will win in his place. "
Anderson suffered the injury in the last quarter-final match against UCLA on Saturday. After being tackled by a pair of Bruins, Anderson grabbed his right knee.
It will be Anderson's third injury at the end of the season in Oklahoma.
He was lost for the year 2015 after suffering a broken leg in two games of the season. The following spring, he suffered a vertebral fracture in his neck and was back for the season.
Anderson came back to win the mid-season start job. And in his last seven games, he has dominated the FBS in yards through the scrum, peaking with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the PFF defeat of Georgia in the Rose Bowl.
Anderson was a pre-season All-Big 12 section. Two weeks ago, he won 100 yards and two touchdowns on just five litters against the Florida Atlantic.
"It's unfortunate," said Kyler Murray, who, along with Anderson on Saturday outside, became the first quarter to lead the Sooners to rush in four years. "We just have to continue."
In place of Anderson, the Sooners will turn to sophomore Trey Sermon to take over. As a real freshman, Sermon ran for 744 yards and five touchdowns. He also touched a decisive touchdown of Baker Mayfield in the second half of Oklahoma's win at Ohio State. Sermon has 82 yards and one touchdown in two games this season.
Alongside Sermon, the Sooners will rely more on the great Marcelias Sutton and the real recruit T.J. Pledger.
"We have other good players," Riley said Saturday. "Honestly, playing wise and design will not change much, we trust the guys we have there, they all have dynamic skills.
"It's part of the market at this position, it's a physical position … and we worked hard to create depth."
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