Houston formally has asked the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility for star quarterback Case Keenum, who tore his ACL in September and missed the rest of the season.
Keenum announced in October that he would seek another year of eligibility. The school has filed the appeal with the NCAA and hopes to have an answer by Jan. 25, the deadline for registering for the spring semester at Houston. The Houston Chronicle first reported the appeal had been filed.
Typically, the NCAA grants a sixth year to a player if two seasons are lost because of injury or circumstances beyond his control.
The senior redshirted his freshman year, so Houston would have to prove he lost that season because he was hurt. It is important to note each case is heard on an individual basis.
Keenum came into the year with Heisman hopes and a chance to become the NCAA's career leading passer. But he hurt his knee trying to make a tackle following an interception in a loss Sept. 18 to UCLA.
Houston also lost backup quarterback Cotton Turner to a broken collarbone in the same game, and the Cougars struggled the rest of the way. They finished 5-7, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2004.
