Pittman out with ACL tear

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
October 14, 2003
After tearing up defenses in limited action this season, Jamal Pittman has again torn up his knee.
The Ole Miss freshman running back is likely out for the season after injuring his left knee in Saturday's 55-0 win over Arkansas State. Rebels head coach David Cutcliffe said he is seeking a second opinion, but an examination Indicated a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
It is the second serious knee injury in less than a year for the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Pittman. During the Rebels' spring practices, the Columbia native tore the ACL in his right knee during a non-contact drill. He was expected to miss the 2003 season, but recovered quicker than expected.
Pittman's latest knee injury came in the fourth quarter of the Rebels' blowout win over Arkansas State on Saturday. Playing with the team's second string, Pittman raced 15 yards down the right sideline and dove for the end zone.
To add insult to injury, Pittman's dive came up just short of the goal line.
On Monday, Cutcliffe defended his decision to keep Pittman in the game even though the Rebels led 48-0 at the time.