Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly needs season-ending knee surgery, meaning his collegiate career is over.
The senior sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn lateral meniscus Saturday as the Rebels beat Georgia Southern 37-27. The school announced the diagnosis Sunday.
Kelly was hurt when hit by Eagles linebacker Ukeme Eligwe early in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Jason Pellerin entered and played the remainder of the game.
Pellerin, a redshirt freshman, likely will take over under center for the rest of the season, but there is a chance the Rebels could give true freshman Shea Patterson some action in what until now has been a redshirt season.
The nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, Chad Kelly completed 205 of 328 passes (62.5 percent) for 2,758 yards this season. He threw 19 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
Before exiting Saturday, Kelly was 16 of 23 for 226 yards and a score.
Last season, Kelly was the MVP of the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State, capping a year in which he was 298 of 458 (65.1 percent) for 4,042 with 31 TD passes and 13 interceptions.
Pellerin was 1 of 5 for 19 yards with an interception Saturday, leaving him 5 of 13 for 53 yards with two touchdowns and three picks this year.
Next up for Ole Miss (4-5, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) is a Saturday game at Texas A&M (7-2, 4-2). The Aggies were ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff ratings before losing 35-28 at Mississippi State on Saturday.