Mountain West Connection - Chuckie Keeton injury: Utah State quarterback's senior season is likely overAll you need to know about the Mountain West, and then somehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50409/mwc-fav.png2014-10-02T09:00:39-07:00http://www.mwcconnection.com/rss/stream/45686912014-10-02T09:00:39-07:002014-10-02T09:00:39-07:00What's next for USU now that Chuckie Keeton is out
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Keeton likely out for the season, sophomore Darell Garretson will now get the start at quarterback.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Utah State <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/1/6884863/chuckie-keeton-knee-injury-season-ending">announced</a> that <span>Chuckie Keeton</span> will likely miss the remainder of the 2014 season with a knee injury. With this announcement, sophomore <span>Darell Garretson</span> will now get the start at quarterback.</p>
<p>This is the third time in his career that Chuckie will miss the majority of the season due to injury. In 2011, Keeton suffered a concussion against Hawaii and missed the remainder of the season. Last year, he tore his ACL and MCL against BYU and missed the 2nd half of the season.</p>
<p>What does this mean for the Aggies?</p>
<p>Keeton has been recognized as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the nation. He broke single-season records in 2012 for touchdown passes, passing yards, total offensive yards, completions and completion percentage. He also tied the school record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback against then 18th-ranked Louisiana Tech back in November 2012.</p>
<p>With Keeton out, the Aggies lose some of their firepower on offense. Even though Garretson is a terrific passer in the pocket, he does not have the same speed as Chuckie when out of the pocket. But through the first eight game, Garretson has shown that he can sling the ball down the field. This could be very crucial against a very good BYU secondary this week and the season going forward.</p>
<p>Garretson was able to get the wins last year but a lot of that had to do with the defense, because taking a closer look at his numbers, they were not that impressive. Outside of beating up on a bad UNLV and Hawaii secondary where Garreston threw for 298 and 370 yards respectively, and in his other games he did not even crack 200 yards per game. His 10 touchdowns were nice but he also had seven interceptions.</p>
<p>To help the Aggies be successful they need Garretson to improve on his accuracy and his miscues. Getting the running game going will help with Joe Hill, but make no mistake this offense does take a step back without Keeton. Keeton added an extra layer with his elusiveness and ability to extend plays, but this also does not call for the Utah State season to come to a crashing thud. Getting to a bowl game and still even competing for the Mountain West title is still an attainable goal this year.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/2/6890411/what-does-losing-chuckie-mean-for-utah-stateConnor_C2014-10-01T17:32:32-07:002014-10-01T17:32:32-07:00Chuckie Keeton's season is likely over
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Chuckie Keeton has not been medically cleared to play and his senior season is in jeopardy.</p> <p><span>Chuckie Keeton's</span> return from a <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/10/5/4807304/chuckie-keeton-injury-acl-mcl/in/4568691" target="_blank">torn ACL</a> is not going as planned this fall, and his senior season seems to be over. The Utah State athletic department sent out a release Wednesday night all but saying Keeton's year is over.</p>
<p>"Chuckie's health is our top priority and he has not been cleared to play by our medical staff," said Utah State head coach Matt Wells in the released statement. "We will continue to monitor his progress throughout the fall, but given his current condition it is unlikely that he will play in any games in the foreseeable future."</p>
<p>This is very unfortunate and also quite a change in events when there was a rumor flying around on Monday from BYU defensive lineman <span>Remington Peck</span> that said Keeton would be out for the year and use a medical redshirt. The school <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/29/6868651/byu-vs-utah-state" target="_blank">denied that Keeton was taking a redshirt</a>, and Wells said on <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/1/6881245/keeton-is-still-utah-states-number-one" target="_blank">BYU's Sports Nation</a> that he wanted to hear from doctors before saying if Keeton would be cleared or not.</p>
<p>Keeton <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/13/6146385/chuckie-keeton-knee-injury" target="_blank">reinjured the surgically repaired knee against Wake Forest</a> and left at halftime and also sat out the following game against Arkansas State. He went down on a <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/14/6148787/chuckie-keeton-knee-injury/in/5888322" target="_blank">non-contact play</a> and those are the worst to possibly end a promising career that Keeton had.</p>
<p>There is still the option for Keeton to use a medical redshirt since he has not taken his traditional redshirt at all, but that probably seems unlikely. If a medical redshirt is being discussed a decision does not need to be made, and can not be made, until the season is over. That is still a few months a way and Keeton can work with team doctors and discuss the future of his knee.</p>
<p>Keeton was a player that was adored not just by Utah State fans but national media enjoyed watching No. 16 on the field, too. It all started back in his first career start as a true freshman against the defending national champion <a href="https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Auburn Tigers</a> where he nearly led the Aggies to a monumental upset.</p>
<p>If we have seen the last of Keeton it is a real shame and college football fans will have been cheated of seeing an electrifying quarterback for another 10 games. Keeton may have never earned that signature win in his career, he came close many times, but he sure was fun to watch. Seeing Keeton play one more year would be a great treat for college football fans, but as a senior Keeton needs to look out for his future and one that still could lead a path to play football at the next level.</p>
<p>Going forward for Utah State, this means that sophomore quarterback Darrell Garretson will be the starter for the foreseeable future.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/1/6884863/chuckie-keeton-knee-injury-season-endingJeremy Mauss2014-10-01T11:10:14-07:002014-10-01T11:10:14-07:00Keeton Still No. 1 at USU
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<p>Coach Matt Wells reaffirmed his faith in Chuckie Keeton and his ability to lead the Aggies.</p> <p>Coach Wells made his opinion clear on who he wanted to lead USU on the gridiron during this interview with BYU radio. He said that if <span>Chuckie Keeton</span> is medically cleared to play, he will start. For the Aggies, this is a delicate point in the season. If CK can come back healthy, and regain his former composure and playmaking ability, USU may stand a fighting chance going into Friday night's game against BYU.</p>
<p>If, however, Keeton is playing at limited capacity, it may be worse than playing without him. Hopefully he comes back from this latest twinge with greater strength and mobility, because he will certainly need it against perhaps the toughest opponent the Aggies will play all year. The biggest concern would be a scenario where Wells sticks with Chuckie regardless of his recovery process, and the Aggies end up in a situation similar to the Cougars' a couple years ago when Bronco Mendenhall played an injured Riley Nelson. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below regarding who you think is best situated to help the Aggies in their current dilemma.</p>
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https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/1/6881245/keeton-is-still-utah-states-number-oneBen PhillipsJeremy Mauss2014-10-01T09:51:27-07:002014-10-01T09:51:27-07:00Will Chuckie Keeton be ready against BYU?<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4568691">Will Chuckie Keeton be ready against&nbsp;BYU?</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Utah State head coach Matt Wells discusses the status of Chuckie Keeton.</p></p></div>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/10/1/6880927/will-chuckie-keeton-be-ready-against-byuJeremy Mauss2014-09-29T13:12:44-07:002014-09-29T13:12:44-07:00Chuckie Keeton is not taking a medical redshirt
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<p>The status of Chuckie Keeton will be determined after he starts practicing this week for the Friday night game against BYU.</p> <p>The big question surrounding this Friday night's rivalry game between Utah State and BYU is the status of Aggies quarterback <span>Chuckie Keeton</span>. Keeton left the Wake Forest game when we <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/13/6146385/chuckie-keeton-knee-injury" style="background-color: #ffffff;">tweaked his surgically repaired knee</a>, and he missed the Arkansas State game.</p>
<p>News spread very quickly when BYU defensive lineman <span>Remington Peck</span> was asked about Keeton's status for Friday, and he had this to say on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yqq_k2ZsF8&rel=0&t=0" target="_blank">BYU's Sports Nation</a>:</p>
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<p><span>"We heard something different today. I heard they're actually medical redshirting him, as of now," said Peck. "That could be different. If he is there, obviously, it's a whole different deal with his legs. He's very good on the ground. You'd have to prepare more for a two-dimensional quarterback. ... As far as we know, they announced last night that they're medical redshirting him, but I still think we need to prepare just in case he doesn't."</span></p>
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<p>That news spread like wild fire and listening to Peck on the video it seems that he is not joking around, and who knows what Peck heard or misheard on Keeton's situation. Plus, a medical redshirt can not even be applied through the NCAA until the season ends.</p>
<p>News of this spread quickly down to Utah State and head coach Matt Wells addressed this right at the start of his weekly press conference.</p>
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<p>Waiting for Matt Wells presser to begin but USU official just came in and said rumor of Keeton red shirting is not true</p>
— Lya Wodraska (@LyaWodraska) <a href="https://twitter.com/LyaWodraska/status/516638272903458816">September 29, 2014</a>
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<p>So, that was stomped rather quickly, and Wells was <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/LyaWodraska/status/516648455729844225">shocked </a>when he heard of this rumor.</p>
<p>The fact is that Wells came out and said in his press conference that the starting quarterback position is still under review and more will be known of Keeton's status for the BYU game once he and <span>Darell Garretson</span> practice on Monday.</p>
<p>Expect Wells to keep the information tight on who will start and not do what San Jose State head coach Ron Caragher did last week by announcing his starting quarterback early in the week.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/29/6868651/byu-vs-utah-stateJeremy Mauss2014-09-15T13:54:07-07:002014-09-15T13:54:07-07:00Chuckie Keeton's knee is 'banged up'
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<p>Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton's knee is "banged up" and will be sidelined for two weeks.</p> <p>Every Utah State fan was holding their breathe when star quarterback <span>Chuckie Keeton</span> did not return in the second half of the Wake Forest game, and <a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/IYhTSnG8ab">seeing him limping was not a good sign</a>. The fear was that Keeton aggravated the same knee which saw his season end last year due to a torn ACL.</p>
<p>There is good news out of Logan, Utah, when head coach Matt Wells gave positive news about his quarterbacks knee.</p>
<p>"Chuckie is fine from a health standpoint," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865610978/USU-football-Keeton-out-for-Saturday-but-knee-is-structurally-sound.html">Wells said at his weekly press conference</a>. "The ACL is all intact; everything's good. But it's banged up, guys, and that's the bottom line.</p>
<p>"So, we're going to sit him out this week, and we're going to sit him out next week (USU has a bye). Then we're going to re-evaluate him during the BYU week."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hSQQT0x3krw" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Keeton is still recovering form that torn ACL from last year and so far in 2014 he was not the same quarterback prior to tearing his knee; there were plenty of up and downs in just a few games this season. The next time Keeton will likely be on the field will be in three weeks he faces the BYU team that ended his season last year.</p>
<p>Keeton went down on a non-contact play and needed help getting up, and then in the second half he was visibly seen limping in street clothes.</p>
<p>This is great news for Utah State as Keeton will likely miss only the Arkansas State game, and that his knee is still intact. Arkansas State is no Sun Belt pushover, but the Aggies are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/15/6153053/college-football-gambling-odds-week-4-boise-state-colorado-state-unlv">currently a field goal road favorite</a>. In Keeton's place will be sophomore <span>Darell Garretson</span> and he proved to be a fine replacement when he was called upon to start the last half of the 2013 season.</p>
<p>"I have a tremendous amount of confidence - as does his teammates - in Darell Garretson," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865610978/USU-football-Keeton-out-for-Saturday-but-knee-is-structurally-sound.html">Wells said</a>. "I think we're very confident in him, his talents, his abilities and his leadership ability.</p>
<p>"But just like last year, we have to do the same thing. We will have to play very well on defense, we're going to have to find ways to be difference makers on special teams, and guys on offense are going to have to play a little bit better around him."</p>
<p>Garretson led the Aggies to a 6-1 record in his seven starts and that included defeating Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. He actually saw playing time in eight games last season where he set a freshman record by passing for 1,446 yards; Garretson also completed 60 percent of his passes to go along with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.</p>
<p>In the second half in the Wake Forest game, Garretson did throw a bad interception but he recovered to complete 11 of 16 pass for 121 yards and one touchdown.</p>
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https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/15/6154211/chuckie-keeton-injury-out-Arkansas-stateJeremy Mauss2014-09-14T13:18:23-07:002014-09-14T13:18:23-07:00The exact moment Chuckie Keeton hurts his knee?<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4568691">The exact moment Chuckie Keeton hurts his&nbsp;knee?</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>This looks to be the moment that Chuckie Keeton went down with his knee injury.</p></p></div>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/14/6148787/chuckie-keeton-knee-injuryJeremy Mauss2014-09-13T21:06:48-07:002014-09-13T21:06:48-07:00Chuckie Keeton leaves game with knee injury
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<p>Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton left the first half against Wake Forest in what appears to be a non-contact.</p> <p>Utah State fans can only hope that the injury to <span>Chuckie Keeton</span> is minor and the reason he did not return for the second half of Saturday night's win over Wake Forest was for precautionary reasons. Keeton started shaky with an errant throw that led to a pick-six, but after that he tightened up his game and was moving Utah State down the field. When Keeton left the game the Aggies were in good shape with a 29-7 lead.</p>
<p>There was a play at the end of the half where Keeton went down but came up slow after falling to the ground, and relatively untouched. The announcers picked up on that quickly and mentioned Keeton's torn ACL which he suffered last season.</p>
<p>Here is the play in question that likely forced Keeton to spend the second half in street clothes:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xceWkAnaldk" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Keeton had crutches at one point but he tossed those aside but did have a limp according to Jeremiah Jensen of KSL:</p>
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<p>Chuckie is back on the sideline with a noticeable limp but he’s not currently using the crutches <a href="http://t.co/v8fNRF6NO8">pic.twitter.com/v8fNRF6NO8</a></p>
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJSportsBeat/status/510964232184418304">September 14, 2014</a>
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<p>The severity of the injury is unknown but head coach Matt Wells <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JJSportsBeat/status/510988904951214080">confirmed it was the same left knee that Keeton tore up last season</a>. More info on the injury would be known on Sunday once doctors were able to get a closer look at the knee.</p>
<p>Luckily for Utah State they have Darrell Garretson at quarterback and he did an admirable job of filling in for Keeton last year and led the Aggies to the Mountain West title game and a bowl win. Wells is not too concerned about a drop in production if Garretson is the quarterback for any significant amount of time.</p>
<p>"(He) has got a lot of Moxie. Our players will rally around him if he's the guy going forward," <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/johncoonsports/status/510990046971695104">said Wells in his post media season</a>. Wells also commented that the offense would not change much, if at all with Garretson at quarterback. That should not come too much of a shock since Garretson is a similar type of quarterback as Keeton, and nothing changed last year with Garretson running the offense.</p>
<p>It would be a shame for Keeton's senior season to end on a non-contact play.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/9/13/6146385/chuckie-keeton-knee-injuryJeremy Mauss