For the second straight year, an often-injured Illinois football playmaker named Mike suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener.

A year after Mike Dudek suffered his fourth-straight season-ending injury (and third ACL tear), Illinois junior running back Mike Epstein suffered his third straight season-ending injury. Illinois head coach Lovie Smith said Monday a knee injury will sideline Epstein the rest of the season.

"Heart goes out for the kid because he does everything right, he does everything you ask of him. He's as good of a teammate as there is,” Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said. “All I keep thinking about is Mikey Dudek. If anyone deserves to have success it's Mike Epstein. He might have had the best fall training camp of any of the tailbacks."

Added Lovie Smith: "Mike has been through so much, such a good football player. As was the case with Marquez Beason, these are guys that will come back as strong as ever, but they won't be a part of the actual Saturdays this year. What Mike should see is that he has battled it. This is a little bit different situation (than Dudek) because Mike Epstein has a lot of eligibility left. He'll come back as strong as ever. That's what we've seen. Sometimes there are blessings in disguise that we really don't realize. Coming back from a serious injury with his foot, maybe this is going to give that a little bit more team to heal up. We'll get the best version of Mike that we can."

Epstein played just 12 games during his first two seasons, both of which were cut short due to foot fractures. Epstein also missed his junior season of high school due to a torn ACL.

“So many thoughts and emotions but it’s when things seem worst, that you must not quit,” Epstein tweeted on Monday afternoon. “Huge thank you to the fans, my friends, family and my brothers for the unwavering support and love. I’ll find a way to help my brothers this year. The climb to the top continues. Back to work.”

This is another tough break for Epstein, whom Illinois running backs coach Mike Bellamy applauded for his attitude in returning from previous injuries.

"He’s put himself in a position where he understands his opportunities," Bellamy said in August. "That’s what you appreciate about it. Every time he goes in, it’s like his last play. He’s hitting it hard. He turns around and looks for confirmation. At the same time, he listens for the criticisms. It doesn’t hurt him. That’s the exciting part is that he’s humble enough that he understands it can be taken away fast.

Epstein has been an effective running back when on the field. Over 12 games as an underclassman, Epstein totaled 757 rushing yards (6.5 yards per rush) and six touchdowns while also adding 14 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. On Saturday, he led Illinois with 45 rushing yards on eight carries.

Epstein is a significant loss for Illinois, but the running back is the team’s deepest position. Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said this is the deepest running back room he's had throughout his career, which includes stints at West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and Arizona.

Reggie Corbin was an All-Big Ten Third Team selection last season after becoming the 13th Illini to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season (1,085). Senior Dre Brown and junior Ra'Von Bonner have been effective when healthy, and redshirt freshmen Jakari Norwood and Kenyon Sims both showed significant improvement during training camp.

"We talk about being successful from one to nine in our running back room, and the three guys are younger, so now we got six guys that we’re comfortable with," Bellamy said last month. "So whether it be role by role or whether it be package by package, I think we got some things we should be happy about.”