The Bearcats' devastating opening game loss to Fresno State Saturday night just became a whole lot worse. Wide receiver Vidal Hazelton, widely regarded as the best receiver in the nation's most talented receiving corps, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
Hazelton was carted off the field late in the 28-14 loss in Fresno Saturday, but remained optimistic about his prognosis. The senior was seen walking, albeit gingerly, without crutches after the game. However, an MRI Monday revealed what Hazelton and the UC coaching staff had feared the most - that he had torn the ACL in his left knee and would be out for the rest of the season.
[See also: Bearcats fall in first game under new head coach]
The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter when Hazelton was returning a kickoff and said he "just kind of planted wrong."
Vidal began his career at USC after being a top-10 recruit. He transferred to UC two years ago and sat out last season under the NCAA's transfer rules. This was to be his final year of eligibility.
While UC will not comment on Hazelton's chances at receiving a "medical redshirt" that would grant him another year of eligibility, here is the applicable rule:
If a student-athlete suffers a season-ending injury or illness after competing in a limited amount of competition during a particular academic year, he/she may qualify for a medical hardship waiver which would allow him/her an additional season of competition during the five-year period of eligibility. To qualify for a medical hardship:
(a) the student-athlete's injury or illness must occur in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition or subsequent to the first day of classes in the student-athlete's senior year in high school;
(b) the injury or illness must occur prior to the completion of the first half of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport and must result in incapacity to compete for the remainder of that playing season; and
(c) the injury or illness must occur when the student-athlete has not participated in more than two contests/dates of competition or 20% of the institution's scheduled contests/dates of competition in his/her sport (whichever number is greater).
The rule appears to fit Hazelton's situation to the letter. However, as every Bearcat fan is well aware, the NCAA tends to find ways for the rules to not apply to UC.
In the meantime, Coach Butch Jones will move Marcus Barnett to the outside to take Vidal Hazelton's position. Barnett was a second-team all-Big East selection in 2007 when he caught 62 passes for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns. Following that 2007 season, he fell out of favor with then-UC coach Brian Kelly. He caught only 30 passes in 2008 and in 2009 was used at both cornerback and wide receiver. Nevertheless, Barnett was praised as one of the hardest workers in camp this year and the coaches are very high on him.
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