Cougars' # 7, not so lucky anymore.

University of Houston's quarterback, Case Keenum, is out of the season for good. Despite this valuable loss, cougar fans' are encouraged to continue supporting the team.

During a game against UTEP, Keenum was injured. He was carried off the field with the help of two paramedics and wearing a face expression that said it all: dissappointment. The game continued and Keenum's absence was not much felt- for his job was already done; he had made wonderful strategic passes that had helped his teammates score and establish a leading significant difference between UH versus the adversary.

Days later, his medical condition was still unknown. No comments were made. The silent from the athletic administrators and those in the same circle were killing everyone. Not talking about the subject made everyone more concerned. The Daily Cougar, the school newspaper, was only reporting on how UH had earned a fantastic victory, with a brief (that could be reduced to nothing) mention on the injury. Speculations started to circulate regarding Keenum's participation in an upcoming game against UCLA. Fans feared. "Will their star not play in such an important game? How bad was his knee?" Finally, the day before the game, an announcement was made: Keenum would play.

As both team stepped on Rose Bowl, UH students were expecting that their star would play as good as he did before what had happened against UTEP. Those in the stadium, and those watching the game on TV hoped that their quarterback would lead the team to a game well played. Unfortunately, that did not happened. Keenum was injured once again, and with that so did the end of his era.

Now that his injury is of more severe than the first one, UH football coach Kevin Sumlim, has been more public about the Keenum's condition. He has issued a statement declaring Keenum's absence of for the rest of the season. If Sumlim had been more public since the beginning, UH fans would not have been as disappoinment as they are now. Their hopes would not have fallen as bad as they did on Sunday night, when Sumlim spoke to the press. Now, the UH Athletic's PR department will have to work on a campaign that may motivate students to be even more supportive to the school's football team than before. An editorial on the Daily Cougar is already doing its part. It reads, "It may seem terrible a change in direction for the Cougar's 2010 season, but now is the time for Houston fans to truly shine. As always we'll be at Robertson Stadium for the Cougar's next game, and we hope to see the stands overflowing again."

Keenum's athletic debacle has been put under a magnifying glass. Let's hope it is managed better. One lesson Slim should learn is to never try to hide something he can't.