Penn State loses Hayes for season

Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The injury occurred while Hayes was covering a punt return in the fourth quarter of No. 17 Penn State’s 45-14 win Saturday over Oregon State. The junior had made the first start of his career.

The diagnosis Sunday from the team doctor confirmed the Nittany Lions’ worst fears. Hayes is scheduled to undergo surgery in the next couple of weeks, followed by an estimated nine months of rehabilitation.

Hayes suffered the same injury to his right knee last season.

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Nebraska defensive end Barry Turner has a broken bone in his left leg and probably is out for the season.

Turner was hurt early in Nebraska’s 35-12 win over San Jose State on Saturday. Pierre Allen replaced Turner and finished with a team-high 10 tackles and a pass breakup.

Turner is eligible to apply for a medical redshirt, which would allow him to play for the Cornhuskers in 2009. He was injured on San Jose State’s third play from scrimmage.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder from Antioch, Tenn., was the most experienced of the Cornhuskers’ starters on the defensive line. He has 11 1/2 sacks in his career. Last season he started 11 games and had a team-leading three sacks.

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Kansas cornerback Kendrick Harper was released from the hospital Sunday, a day after being taken from Memorial Stadium on a stretcher because of an apparent neck injury.

“He underwent a battery of tests and everything seems to be fine and he feels a lot better,” Kansas Coach Mark Mangino said in a statement. “I am glad he is doing well, and that is the main thing. We will discuss football stuff when he comes over.”

Harper, a senior, was injured in the first quarter of No. 13 Kansas’ 29-0 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday when he lowered his head to tackle receiver Phillip Livas. Harper’s head snapped back after hitting Livas’ shoulder, but he was able to walk to the sideline and sit on the bench.

Medical personnel checked on Harper for several minutes before lifting him to a stretcher and immobilizing his head. He appeared to be moving his arms as he was wheeled outside the stadium.

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Tyler Graunke threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to rally Hawaii to a 36-17 victory over Weber State at Honolulu late Saturday night.

The Warriors (1-1) avoided being upset by the Football Championship Subdivision Wildcats (1-1) by scoring the final 29 points, including 22 points in the third quarter.

With Hawaii trailing, 17-7, Graunke replaced starter Inoke Funaki to open the second half and provided the Warriors the spark they needed.

Graunke backed up Colt Brennan for the last two seasons and was expected to be the starter when the Heisman Trophy finalist graduated to the NFL.