Yes, we beat Cal, and we’ve got a potential classic against Notre Dame on tap for this weekend. But there is a bit of bad news you may not have heard:

Running back Marc Tyler of Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, Calif., rated the top running back in the country by Rivals.com, is recovering after surgery for a broken leg Saturday, suffered in Friday night’s 70-9 playoff game win over Playa del Rey St. Bernard.

Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell told the Los Angeles Times that Tyler was in good spirits and that Tyler is expected to be sidelined for four months.

Obviously with the Trojans in the BCS hunt, next year isn’t a big focus for anyone right now; and Tyler’s four-month recovery would sideline him from spring practices, but would still have him back in plenty of time for the fall. All the same, we’re sure Trojan fans everywhere are asking “why couldn’t it be Claussen?”

Game footage of a pre-injury Marc Tyler to torture yourself with enjoy after the jump.

USC-bound Tyler breaks leg [Prep Rally — USA Today]