Jeromy McDowell received the news that he hoped would not come but pretty much expected.

Late Thursday afternoon, Southeast Missouri State University's sophomore quarterback learned that he will miss the rest of the season after tests revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament -- the dreaded ACL -- in his left knee.

"I thought in the back of my head it was bad," said McDowell, who most recently hurt the knee during Monday's practice. "But I still had hopes that it wasn't."

McDowell is scheduled to have reconstructive surgery Monday in St. Louis. The surgery will be performed by Dr. George Paletta, a team physician for the St. Louis Rams and Cardinals. Paletta performed McDowell's arthroscopic surgery in January to repair a small ligament tear in the same knee.

McDowell said he was disappointed but said the full effect of that might not show up for a while.

"It hasn't really hit me I don't think, but it probably will after our next game," he said, referring to Saturday's game at Southern Illinois. "It's very frustrating, but I can't do anything about it now. I'll just work hard and try to get back for next season."

Although rehabilitation from ACL surgery is normally a grueling process, McDowell said he expects to be healthy for next season.

"I'm just looking forward to getting it taken care of and getting back on the field," McDowell said. "Having the surgery so soon, it obviously gives me plenty of time to rehab and get better. Right now it's hard to look forward to next year, but I guess I have to."

McDowell had a sensational redshirt freshman season for the Indians last year, passing for a Southeast freshman-record 2,051 yards that ranks fourth on the school's all-time single-season list.

A former standout at North County High School in Bonne Terre, Mo., McDowell had offseason shoulder and knee surgery that forced him to miss spring drills. Although his knee appeared to recover fine, he also was held out of most of the Indians' preseason practices because of shoulder problems.

McDowell was scheduled to play only a few series during last Thursday's season opener against Division II Arkansas-Monticello. But, with the Indians struggling, he played most of the second half and all of both overtimes as Southeast avoided a major upset, 42-41. McDowell completed 13 of 22 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.

While McDowell's shoulder appeared to hold up fine, he took several shots to the knee that had him hobbling. He appeared to be fine the following day, but was injured in Monday's practice simply trying to plant and turn during a seemingly harmless play.

"I just feel terrible for Jeromy because he's a great kid," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "And he's such a leader. That's why his teammates voted him one of our captains. But if anybody can come back from this and be ready to go next year, it's Jeromy."

Now all eyes will be on the Indians' other two quarterbacks, junior-college transfer Jack Tomco and redshirt freshman Jeff East.

Tomco, who started against Arkansas-Monticello, is scheduled to get the nod Saturday, with East figuring to also play, as he did in the opener. Tomco has the stronger arm while East is the better runner.

Tomco was 6-for-10 for 82 yards and was intercepted twice in the opener. East went 1-for-4 for 30 yards, with one TD and one interception.

"We're going to miss Jeremy, but we have confidence in Jack and Jeff," Southeast All-American wide receiver Willie Ponder said. "They both know the system well. Jeremy is a big loss, but I think we'll be all right."

McDowell agreed.

"Jack and Jeff are very capable of running the offense and leading the team," he said. "I have full confidence in the defense and I think the team will have a great season. I'll be their No. 1 fan."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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