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The question of who will start at quarterback for the Utah State Aggies against BYU on Friday has been resolved, and the answer isn't good news for the Aggies.
Senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton may miss the remainder of the 2014 season due to the injury he suffered against Wake Forest on Sept. 13, the school announced in a release Wednesday.
In his absence, the Aggies are expected to start sophomore Darell Garretson, who was Keeton's replacement last season and went 6-1 as a starter.
The news comes two days after Utah State coach Matt Wells said Keeton's status for Friday's game in Provo would be determined after practice and after discussing his injury with team doctors.
Apparently Keeton has not recovered like the Aggies had hoped he would.
"Chuckie's health is our top priority and he has not been cleared to play by our medical staff," Wells said in the 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."
During his press conference on Monday, Wells refuted a statement by BYU player Remington Peck that Keeton was out for the season and would seek a medical hardship scholarship. While Keeton has not used a redshirt, it is uncertain he would be granted another year by the NCAA because injuries have to be considered "incapacitating."
Medical hardships aren't determined until the season is over.
After doctors examined Keeton following the Wake Forest game on Sept. 13, Wells said the injury was not season-ending and that medical exams revealed Keeton's knee was structurally sound.
Wells was not available for comment following Wednesday's announcement.
Keeton first tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his knee on Oct. 4 against BYU last year.
While he wore a brace during fall camp, Keeton said he felt his knee had recovered fully.
However, in live action he never looked like the quarterback the Aggies were billing as a Heisman contender as he came up limping several times after plays in the season opener against Tennessee and the games that followed. Against Wake Forest, Keeton went 20-of-27 for 166 yards passing in the first half but did not play in the second half.
For the season Keeton is 51-of-92 passing for 426 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 81 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown.
His absence means that Garretson once again must step in and guide the Aggies to a successful season. Last year the Aggies went 6-2 following Keeton's injury and won the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference with a 7-1 mark.
The Aggies lost to Fresno State in the conference game, but beat Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl to finish 9-5.
Garretson started against Arkansas State in Keeton's absence, going 27-of-46 for 268 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in the 21-14 overtime loss.