April 27, 2009

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - Penn State defensive end Pete Massaro (Newtown Square) will miss the 2009 season after suffering a serious knee injury in Saturday's Blue-White Game.

A freshman, Massaro tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Massaro will have surgery within the next 2-3 weeks and rehabilitation will take approximately nine months, according to Sebastianelli.

The 6-4, 247-pound Massaro took a redshirt season as true freshman last fall.

Massaro was among the top candidates to earn significant playing time at defensive end, a position which saw the top three players depart after the 2008 season, including All-American Aaron Maybin, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Massaro was a three-year starter on both sides of the ball for Coach Ray Gionta at Marple Newtown High School in suburban Philadelphia. As a senior, he earned Class AAA second team all-state honors from the Associated Press and PA Football News and first team All-Southeastern Pa. accolades by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Massaro made 47 tackles, including six sacks, with six quarterback hurries and two fumbles caused as a senior and played in the 2008 Big 33 All-Star Classic.