Hempstead, NY -- Hofstra junior linebacker Gian Villante will miss the entire 2005 season because of a knee injury, the university announced Monday afternoon.

Villante, a I-AA preseason All-America this year, was hurt while preparing for Hofstra's preseason training camp that started on Sunday.

An All-America first-team selection in 2004, Villante recorded 129 tackles, including 16.5 for losses, and had double-digit stops in nine of the 11 games.

Last year Villante was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually by The Sports Network to the best defensive player on the I-AA level.