MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen confirmed Sunday that sophomore left tackle Yodny Cajuste sustained a season-ending knee injury during the 26-11 win over Missouri.
Tigers defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. rolled into Cajuste’s right knee on the Mountaineers’ 13th offensive play Saturday, a 4-yard run by Justin Crawford late in WVU’s second possession. Cajuste appeared gimpy while remaining on the field for the next three plays, including Mike Molina’s 19-yard field goal that provided a 3-0 lead.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Cajuste started the first six games of 2015 as redshirt freshman before a foot injury sidelined him until the Cactus Bowl. Coincidentally, it was another redshirt freshman, Colton McKivitz, who stepped in for the final 53 minutes against Missouri.
McKivitz played well as West Virginia racked up 241 rushing yards (more than 5 per carry) and did not allow a sack. His draw-play block on All-SEC defensive end Charles Harris sprang Rushel Shell’s 23-yard touchdown.
Because McKivitz also was projected to share time with Marcell Lazard at right tackle, rarely-used senior Sylvester Townes could factor more heavily into the rotation. When Townes played briefly against Missouri, it marked his fourth appearance since signing out of Coahoma (Miss.) Community College in 2014.
Along with free safety Dravon Askew-Henry, Cajuste becomes the second West Virginia starter lost to a torn ACL. Other ACL injuries from the preseason included reserve nose tackle Jaleel Fields and backup Mike linebacker Brendan Ferns, while freshman cornerback Jake Long will redshirt following a shoulder injury.