Muncie, IN (Best E Casino) - Ball State wide receiver Dante Love will never play again after suffering a cervical spine fracture and a spinal cord injury during Saturday night's 42-20 victory at Indiana.

Love suffered the injury when he collided helmet-to-helmet with Indiana's Chris Adkins and was carted off the field on a stretcher. He underwent surgery early Sunday morning at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and had movement in his arms and legs after the procedure.

"Due to the nature of Dante Love's injury during Ball State's football game at Indiana September 20, his football playing career is expected to be over," the school said in a release Monday. "However, after a rehabilitation period, he is expected to be able to live a normal and healthy life."

"On behalf of his family, the Ball State family and the Muncie community, we truly appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. We continue to keep Dante Love and his family in all our thoughts as he begins the rehabilitation process."

The senior had three receptions for 27 yards Saturday. He came into the contest ranked No. 1 in the nation in receiving yards per game with a 144.3 average. Love has caught at least one pass in 37 straight games and has 199 total receptions, second on the school's all-time list, behind Dante Ridgeway (238).