COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina star Marcus Lattimore was taken to a hospital and is out indefinitely because of an injury to his right knee suffered against Tennessee on Saturday.

Lattimore was running through the left side when he was struck around the knees by Volunteers defensive back Eric Gordon, Lattimore's right leg whipping around and slamming against the turf. South Carolina trainers immediately rushed to his side, keeping Lattimore flat on his back as the junior attempted to sit up and see the injury.

"I just tried to tell him to stay mentally strong," said receiver Ace Sanders, whose eyes teared up when discussing Lattimore. "I saw the look in in his eyes when he was on the ground and he was really heartbroken."

Lattimore was taken off the field on a cart and went to the hospital for further evaluation. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier didn't give details of the injury, only that it was every bit as devastating as the one to Lattimore's left knee last fall at Mississippi State. Lattimore had surgery to repair ligaments and cartilage, then needed six months of rehabilitation and recovery before he was cleared to return to action.

The school announced after South Carolina's 38-35 win that Lattimore was out indefinitely.

Quarterback Connor Shaw said the Gamecocks (No. 13 BCS, No. 17 AP) were feeling down on the sidelines after watching Lattimore leave.

"But I felt like we bounced back and really played for him," Shaw said.

Shaw threw for a career-high 356 yards. He passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Gamecocks (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) broke a two-game losing streak.

Despite last season's injury, Lattimore was considered one of the SEC's best running backs and a likely NFL first-round pick if he opted to leave school early.