In an incident eerily reminiscent to a scene in the movie “The Program,” sophomore lineman John Wagner was injured last month after getting struck by a freight train in South Bend.
Wagner suffered three broken ribs, a broken wrist and an ankle injury. The 6-foot-7-inch, 320-pounder from Cheshire, Conn., was hospitalized for about a week. He is expected to return to campus, but probably won’t play this year.
Fellow offensive lineman Mike Rosenthal witnessed the incident but declined to comment.
Head coach Lou Holtz said he did not know the specifics. “I wouldn’t even hazard a guess to what transpired. I’m not trying to avoid anything. I just honestly can’t comment intelligently.”
First casualty: Placekicker Kevin Kopka will have exploratory arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on his right knee. Kopka made 6 of 11 field goals in his freshman year. Scott Cengia made all five attempts, but none was longer than 30 yards.
