A freshman for Marshall last season, running back Travon Van made an immediate impact by becoming the team’s second-leading rusher.
Any hopes of Van having another solid season in 2012 will have to be put on hold, however.
In a column by Chuck Landon of the Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Van explained that two offseason surgeries to repair a sports hernia and a labral tear in his hip will sideline him for six months.
“It was a real downer, me having to get two surgeries. I thought the first one was going to be enough, but they found some more stuff and had to do the second one,” Van said. “I was really looking forward to participating in spring practice this year.”
Van had 551 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.