After leading the Bengals to their first eight-win season in over a decade and an ECAC Southwest Bowl win in 2014, junior quarterback Kyle Hoppy’s 2015 campaign was cut short when he tore his ACL in Buffalo State’s 29-26 loss to Alfred University on Sept. 19, the team’s second game of the season.

He plans to return to the team for the 2016 season, and began the long journey back to the football field on Oct. 14 when he underwent surgery to repair the torn ligament in his knee.

Hoppy had the surgery done without setback at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst by Dr. Les Bisson. He began the rehab process just three days later.

“The athletic trainers at Buff State are very good with this rehab process,” Hoppy said. “They’re very knowledgeable about the whole process. As far as being able to return to sports training, it should be about four months.”

Hoppy is determined to get healthy as soon as possible, but understands his injury will require a long, hard battle back.

“The only thing [standing between Hoppy and his return to the football field] would be time,” Hoppy said. “I know these injuries require time to heal and a lot of hard work in the rehab process. I’ll put in that work and be better than ever come next season.”

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