University of Houston Athletics
Keenum Named C-USA Freshman of the Year
11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 28, 2007
HOUSTON, Texas - University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year by the league's media, as the C-USA Office in Irving announced it today.
Stepping into the shoes of the departed Kevin Kolb, Keenum led the Cougars to an 8-4 record and a Co-West Division Championship with Tulsa. Under Keenum's leadership, the Houston offense generated 513.17 yards and 36.33 points per game, as Keenum was the top freshman quarterback nationally to lead a offense ranked in the Top 9.
Keenum passed for 1,924 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 69.8 percent (164-of-235) of his passes, while rushing for an additional 414 yards and nine scores. His passing efficiency rating of 148.30 ranked 16th nationally, and he averaged 194.83 yards of total offense per game.
"This is incredible," said Keenum. "This a great testament to the team, overall. There were a lot of good guys up front blocking, catching balls, and then Quick (Anthony Alridge) who creates a lot of possibilities when he gets the ball or even when we fake to him."
Keenum was named the CollegeSportsReport.com Division I-FBS National Performer of the Week, on Sept. 25 after leading the Cougars to a 38-27 comeback win over Colorado State. Keenum entered the game at the 11:00 mark of the second quarter with the Cougars trailing 14-3 and led the Cougars on four scoring drives to overcome the largest home deficit since 2000.
Keenum completed his first 12 passes and finished the day with 197 yards and two touchdowns passing on 18-of-22 attempts. Keenum also rushed for 57 yards and scored the first two touchdowns of his career, the first on an eight-yard run to take the lead, 31-27, with 6:18 to play, and then later his one-yard sneak capped the Cougar scoring.
Keenum becomes the fourth Cougar to win the C-USA Freshman of the Year award, joining Kolb (2003), quarterback Jason McKinley (1997) and running back Ketric Sanford (1996) in this illustrious group.
The Cougars are scheduled to play in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 28, at 7 pm at Reliant Stadium. Houston's opponent has yet to be announced.
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