CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Cincinnati senior quarterback Munchie Legaux was taken off the field on a cart in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 45-17 loss at Illinois with a severe left knee injury after being hit by Illinois senior defensive end Tim Kynard while attempting a pass.
Legaux immediately fell to the turf and grabbed his leg with both hands after being hit by Kynard with 9:23 remaining and the Bearcats trailing 31-17. Kynard and senior linebacker Houston Bates, who was closing in on Legaux from the outside when Kynard hit him from the front, began waving their arms to alert medical personnel as soon as Legaux went down. The entire Cincinnati team came from its sideline to surround Legaux, kneeling in prayer as trainers attended to him.
“I didn’t even know what happened,” said UC senior linebacker Greg Blair. “I just heard the crowd go silent. I seen our players running over. I was probably one of the first people who ran over and I just grabbed his hand. That automatically made me think of the Louisville basketball game and (Kevin Ware). That’s how his leg was.”
Legaux was transported to nearby Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. The full extent of the injury is yet unknown. UC coach Tommy Tuberville did confirm that it was a left knee injury.
“It doesn’t look good. I feel bad for him. He was in pretty good pain on the field,” said Tuberville. “I just hope that he’s going to be fine, and there’s a lot of prayers going out for him.”
Legaux had started for the second straight week as he and fellow senior Brendon Kay battled for the No. 1 spot in practice. Leguax was 17 of 31 for 237 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was the starter last season before losing the job to Kay in mid-season. Prior to the start of the season it was thought Kay would retain the starting job but Legaux got the start in the season opener against Purdue and led the Bearcats to a 42-7 win.
“He worked hard and he won the spot,” said senior wide receiver Anthony McClung, Legaux’s best friend. “It was pretty devastating. You hate to see that. I couldn’t watch that. I had to go sit down myself. I had to leave. I couldn’t continue to watch that. He was yelling, and I couldn’t do it.”
