Graham Wishes Case Keenum Well

Houston's standout quarterback has likely played his last game after injuring his knee on Saturday.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 20, 2010 4:49 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – The University of Houston has announced that its star quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful, Case Keenum, will be out for the remainder of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a 31-13 loss to UCLA on Saturday.

Keenum, the fifth-leading passer in NCAA history, injured himself trying to make a tackled after throwing an interception in the second quarter.

“My heart goes out to Case because of the type of young man he is, the character he has,” Tulsa head coach Todd Graham said at his weekly news conference. “He’s one of the true young men in college football, to me, who is what it’s all about.”

A season ago, Keenum carved up the Tulsa secondary to the tune of 524 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 46-45 Houston win. He led his team down the field in the closing minutes to set up the game-winning field goal.

His ACL injury means his college career is likely over.

“You never wish something like that on someone,” said Graham. “What he’s meant to his team and to our league is phenomenal.”

Graham recalled meeting Keenum at conference media events and growing to like his character and enthusiasm for football. Keenum had great success against Graham’s Golden Hurricane clubs. That is one of the reasons he respects the rival quarterback so much.

“I put him in the same regard as a (former Tulsa quarterback) Paul Smith,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him.”