Miami University RedHawks Miami's Sly Johnson Sidelined With Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament Footbal Posted: 9/28/1999 12:00:00 AMOXFORD, Ohio (Sept. 28) - Miami University junior Sly Johnson (Miramar, Fla./Miramar), who was on pace to shatter a number of RedHawk receiving marks this season, is out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The news comes just four days prior to Miami's crucial Mid-American Conference showdown with17th-ranked Marshall University this Saturday in Oxford. Johnson, who suffered the injury in the first quarter of last Saturday's game at Central Michigan, entered last week's action as the nation's number-two receiving yardage leader with 145.3 ypg. He also ranked seventh nationally with 197.7 all-purpose yards per game. After making two catches for 40 yards in the Central Michigan game, Johnson's season statistics fell to 119.0 yards per game and 29.8 yards per catch (16 for 476, 4 TD's). The119.0 ypg still leads the MAC and ranks seventh nationally. "It's a tough blow to our football team, but even a tougher blow to Sly," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. He had worked so hard in the offseason and was really having a special season. You can't replace a guy with 4.23(40-yard) speed. He was our game-breaker. Sly's play was taking some of the heat off Travis (Prentice)."Six of Johnson's 16 season receptions had gone for 50 or more yards in 1999.Copyright ©2024 Miami University RedHawks