Bearcat Football: Star Wide Receiver Vidal Hazelton Out For Season With Torn ACL

In perhaps the most devastating news of the season to date, Cincinnati will be without the services of star wide out Vidal Hazelton for the remainder of the year and perhaps his career. 

Hazelton tore his ACL in Saturday's season opening loss to Fresno St and the senior may be out of eligibility. 

Having already accumulated six catches for 63 yards, Hazelton was off to a fast start with his new team and looked to be quarterback Zach Collaros' favorite target until he planted wrong on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

Hazelton came to Cincinnati via USC to be closer to his Staten Island, New York home where his grandfather was recently diagnosed with cancer.

After sitting out last season, Hazelton will have to hope the NCAA will grant him a redshirt this season and allow him to stay with the team for 2011. 

While that is not guaranteed, Cincinnati will have to move on without him in 2010. Senior Marcus Barnett will step into the starting rotation. Barnett shined as a freshman leading the team with 62 catches and 862 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns.

After finding former head coach Brian Kelly's doghouse, Barnett has emerged under Butch Jones and the new regime and will be counted on big time for the rest of the season.

The NCAA's decision to rule JUCO transfer Kenbrell Thompkins ineligible a few weeks ago, coupled with the injury to Hazelton has left what was once a very deep receiving corps, very thin after the starting lineup. 

Barnett will not be the only one picking up the slack. Tight end Ben Guidugli will also be counted upon after recording only one catch in the season opener. Running back Isaiah Pead will also spend some time in the slot. 

After an opening week that couldn't possibly get any worse, Cincinnati returns home Saturday to take on Indiana St. in what should be a chance to work out the kinks and get the offensive line back on track. 

It will also be a chance to adjust to life without the best playmaker on the team. Hazelton will certainly be missed in 2010.