3:04 PM ET

  • Associated Press

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse defensive back Garrett Williams, who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass breakups in each of the previous two seasons, will miss the rest of this season for the No. 22 Orange because of a knee injury.

Coach Dino Babers said Monday that Williams has a torn ACL.

Williams was injured in the second quarter against North Carolina State on Oct. 15 and didn’t play in the Orange’s 27-21 loss at Clemson just over a week ago. He was hurt again in the first half of a 41-24 home loss to Notre Dame on Saturday and needed help leaving the field and entering the medical tent. He returned to the sideline on crutches.

“Garrett wanted to stay in, Garrett wanted to play, he’s a competitor,” Babers said. “But sometimes we’ve got to protect people from themselves, and I wanted to make sure I protected my guy.”

Williams has 36 tackles, tied for third on the team, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 pass breakups and 2 timely interceptions that helped spur the Orange (6-2, 3-1 ACC) to a 6-0 start before their two-game skid.