AROUND THE NATION : UC Davis’ Paneno Has Leg Amputated

UC Davis sophomore running back Sam Paneno had his lower right leg amputated 10 days after dislocating his knee in a game.

Paneno, 22, played one of the best games of his college career while rushing for 114 yards in 26 carries and scoring two touchdowns before hurting his knee in overtime in UC Davis’ Sept. 11 victory against Western Oregon.

The dislocation cut off the blood flow to his lower leg and foot. Despite surgery to repair the injury, the lack of blood and oxygen caused irreversible damage, team physician Dr. David Cosca said. The 22-year-old Paneno, who played at La Canada High, had the surgery Monday.

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Nevada’s Darin Higgins, considered one of the top returning tight ends in the country, ended his career after suffering a concussion on a vicious hit in the Wolf Pack’s season opener. It was his third concussion in a year. . . . Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez will undergo knee replacement surgery Oct. 5 because of severe pain that has made him barely able to sleep the last couple of weeks. The bad knee also will probably keep him off the sideline Saturday when his Badgers play host to Michigan. . . As expected, Alabama Athletic Director Bob Bockrath resigned. . . . Nebraska Coach Frank Solich said he made the final decision not to allow former running back DeAngelo Evans to return to the team.