HOUSTON—Houston is asking the NCAA for a waiver to allow injured quarterback Case Keenum to play a sixth season.
The school announced its intention Monday, but there’s no timetable for submitting the appeal. The NCAA also has no deadline for making a decision.
"After talking this over with my family and people close to me, I have decided to try for another year of eligibility," said Keenum. "This ending wasn’t exactly what I predicted for my senior year and because I care so much about this team and this University, I would love to be able to play one more season."
Keenum was nearing several NCAA career records when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while attempting a tackle in a 31-13 loss Sept. 18 at UCLA. That came a week after a mild concussion in a win over Texas-El Paso.
"Case has been such a big part of this team for the past five years and has done so many things to positively promote the Houston program," said head coach Kevin Sumlin. "I was excited to hear that he wanted to come back next season and I know his teammates were thrilled as well."
Keenum had three starts before his injury and ranks fifth in passing in Division I-A history. He needs 3,487 yards to surpass Tim Chang’s career mark (17,072) and is 28 TD passes shy of Graham Harrell’s career record (134).
