Senior fullback Brandon Hancock will miss the entire 2006 season due to an injury he suffered during Monday's practice.

The injury has been diagnosed as a tear of both the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. Hancock, who suffered a similar knee injury in 2004, was expected to be the Trojans' starting fullback this season.

USC Head coach Pete Carroll talked about the injury after today's practice.

"He (Hancock) had worked so hard," said Carroll. "It just happened during a simple blocking drill in practice yesterday. It's most unfortunate. He's a terrific leader. It's a real shame to have it happen in his senior year.

"Now, we'll call on Ryan Powdrell to take on a leadership role at fullback. And Jody Adewale and Stanley Havili will have to step up, and maybe we'll do some other things there. It's just a terrible thing for Brandon."

With a surgery date in the works, Hancock reflected on the injury and his future as a Trojan – on and off the football field.

"I was prepared for the news," said Hancock. "But to hear it this morning after getting the MRI was definitely disheartening. For so long, your identity is formed by this game. Then overnight, it's gone, poof. You invest so much for so long. It's tough.

"It's about the identical surgery I had after the 2004 Rose Bowl against Michigan. I have two options. They can try to arthroscope it right away and take cartilage out and I can play with a brace. But there's a good possibility of long-term damage and it's hard to play my position with a brace. Or they can reconstruct the ligaments and I'll be out 8 months. So it's a no win. I've talked to my family and, for me, I'm not going to jeopardize my long-term health. I'm an active person, so I'll repair the knee. My immediate goal is to still be involved around here, be a leader and train for the NFL combine and do what I can. I'll go there and try to go out on my own terms, to say I did it.

"It was tough on me until I talked to my dad. Your family and friends play vicariously through you. I don't play for me, I play for them. You represent your family and community. I had aspirations of being an Academic All-American (note: he has a 3.91 GPA, is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society, already earned his bachelor's degree in communication with a business administration minor and is now working on his master's degree in communication management). All my life, I've been able to achieve my goals. It'll be hard not being able to do that now.

"It was hard talking to coach Carroll this morning, too. I'm not one to wallow in self-pity. I've been here before. Now I'll reallocate my efforts and do something else. At USC, you learn to compete. Whatever avenue I take after football, I'll be the best I can be.

"I wish I could've done more in my career at USC. I've had lots of obstacles. I had a big sophomore year, then that layoff with injuries in 2004 when we went 13-0 and won a national championship. I didn't feel a part of that. Last year, I split time with David Kirtman. So, I never had a real chance to show what I can do. I feel I could've done more here. But with the injuries and situations, it never came out. This year, I felt good. It looked like everything was going to play out like I expected. But it's the nature of the game. Injuries happen all the time, but it's tough when you get called.

"I have no regrets what I put into this game. I sold out. I know my presence has resonated within this team. I got respect from my teammates and I respect them. It just didn't pan out for me on the field. Right when I'd get in a rhythm, I'd get a hiccup or setback. Then your confidence comes down. I never had the continuity of a full season. If I was able to do that from Day One of my freshman year, I'd have been a better player. But those setbacks take a toll.

"I got hurt yesterday on a 9-of-7 drill. It wasn't a hit. It was just a situation where enough force was applied on an angle, it opened my knee up, my foot was planted and I couldn't pivot my foot. It felt it grab and then it went 'pop, pop.'"