The ISU football team was dealt a heavy blow in Saturday’s game against Northern Iowa when senior defensive end Tyson Smith was carted off the field due with a season-ending leg injury.

The injury, a broken right fibula and torn ligaments, occurred when Smith fell awkwardly while attempting to tackle UNI tailback Richard Carter in the fourth quarter.

Smith lay on the field for several minutes before being taken to the locker room.

Immediately following the game, ISU head coach Dan McCarney was unsure of the extent of Smith’s injury, but later found that it would be season-ending.

The one bright spot to Smith’s injury is that he will be able to play another full season next year, using this season as a redshirt year.

“It’s going to be a major blow to our defense,” McCarney said. “He’s one of the best players we’ve had here at Iowa State, not just this year, but since he’s been here.”

Smith led the team last season with six sacks and was third for Iowa State with 104 tackles. Saturday he had five tackles, including one for loss.

Filling in for Smith at rush end will be freshman Jason Berryman, who saw a lot of playing time in Saturday’s game.

“We’ve got people that can step up behind [Smith] and fill his spot,” said senior safety JaMaine Billups. “It’s not going to be a setback.

“We’re going to keep him in our prayers, but we’re going to keep moving forward.”