Senior Husker defensive tackle Loran Kaiser underwent an emergency appendectomy Wednesday evening. Doctors say they are optimistic Kaiser will recover and be available to play in the season opener against San Jose State.

Kaiser was taken to Bryant Memorial Hospital around 5:30 Wednesday evening. Dr. Michael Norris performed the appendix removal by laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Norris says he expects Kaiser to be released from the hospital by Thursday and expressed optimism that he will be able to play on September 2nd.

Husker head coach Frank Solich says the team is starting to suffer the effects of fall injuries.

"It is a concern," Solich said. "There has not been a guy on the top two or three units that has not had some type of problem and almost all of them have missed some time."

The Husker interior defensive line has already seen injuries to Jason Lohr (toe) and Ryon Bingham (stress fracture in right foot). "Some of the injuries, such as Bingham’s and Lohr’s, have been extensive and some have been somewhat constant." Solich said. "Somehow we have to get by this and start to move forward.

Kaiser has started at defensive tackle for the past two years. Last year he recorded 36 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, in 1999.