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Torn ACL ends season for UCLA star D-lineman Vanderdoes
Eddie Vanderdoes, a standout on the UCLA D-line, suffered a torn ACL in the Bruins' win over Virginia on Saturday, a source told FOX Sports Sunday. Vanderdoes will miss the rest of the 2015 season.
UCLA spokesman Josh Rupprecht confirmed the injury to The Associated Press later Sunday night. On Monday, defensive line coach Angus McClure confirmed to the AP that Vanderdoes will need surgery.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound junior had a team-high eight tackles in the Bruins' 34-16 win vs. the Cavaliers. Vanderdoes, who has played in every one of UCLA's 27 games since arriving on campus, was an honorable-mention All-Pac-12 Conference selection last season.
The Bruins still have All-American candidate Kenny Clark to anchor the D-line, but now 305-pound junior Eli Ankou and 275-pound sophomore Matt Dickerson need to step up in Vanderdoes' absence.
"It's just crazy that he won't be out there with us, but he'll be one of our best fans," said Clark, according to the AP. "He's definitely a leader on our team. Everybody loves him. He just brings a lot of emotion to the game every Saturday. He keeps the young guys loose. It's definitely a big loss for us."
UCLA coach Jim Mora is uncertain when the injury occurred, but said Vanderdoes' knee "locked up on him" early in the game. Vanderdoes limped off the field in the third quarter.
"It's hard to imitate his aggressiveness, his power," Dickerson said of Vanderdoes. "He's a great player, and it's going to be hard to fill in his shoes, but we're going to get it done."
Rivals was first to report the news of Vanderdoes being lost for the season.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
