Portland State quarterback Tygue Howland has suffered a knee
injury - his third season-ending injury in the past four years - and will miss the 2009 football season. Howland tore the anterior
cruciate ligament in his right knee while working out with teammates on
Monday at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus. He is scheduled to
have surgery on the knee on Aug. 12.
Howland, a 6-3, 220-pound senior from Sedro-Woolley (WA) HS, figured to
be the number two quarterback for the Vikings heading into the 2009
season. Junior Drew Hubel (Corvallis (OR) HS) should be the Vikings'
starter when they open the season in Sept. 5 at Oregon State. Sophomore
Connor Kavanaugh (Lincoln HS) and sophomore transfer Nick Green (Central
Catholic HS) will now back up Hubel.
"We feel so bad for Tygue and his playing career," said Viking Head Coach Jerry Glanville. "It is kind of heartbreaking everything he has gone through. There is not a guy on our team who works harder. He's a great person who brings a lot to the team. He's also a good athlete and throws the deep ball well. We are going to miss him."
The injury for Howland is the latest in a string of major injuries
during his PSU career. In 2006, as a sophomore, Howland replaced injured
starter Sawyer Smith in the second game of the season at California.
However, after one series, Howland went down with a torn left ACL,
ending his season. He returned to earn the starting nod in the 2007
season opener at McNeese State. In the third period of that game,
Howland broke a bone in his left foot, which also ended his season.
Howland was able to stay healthy in 2008, starting four games and
playing in seven for PSU. He completed 74-150 passes for 1,111 yards,
five touchdowns and five interceptions.
An outstanding student at Portland State, Howland earned Academic
All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2008. He has spent the last two years
as a Student Ambassador on campus, working with foreign students. He
will be the co-Coordinator of the program in 2009-10.
Due to his injuries, Howland will be eligible to petition the NCAA for
an additional year of eligibility following the 2009 season.
