University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Take Two of Three Weekly Honors
10/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Houston, Texas - The Cougars' 45-20 come-from-behind victory over UAB last Thursday was memorable in more ways than one, as sophomore quarterback Case Keenum and senior defensive end Phillip Hunt were named Conference USA Players of the Week for their efforts.
For the seventh straight game, Keenum passed for over 300 yards, but more importantly, he led the Cougars to a school-record 17-point comeback in a 45-20 win over UAB. Trailing 20-3 at the half, Keenum directed the Cougars on five second-half touchdown drives while completing 24-of-36 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns. He also tacked on a one-yard rushing score late in the fourth quarter. Keenum's 300-yard efforts in seven consecutive games match the streak David Klingler posted in the 1990 campaign. The 17-point comeback matched the come-from-behind win over Texas A&M on Oct. 13, 1990, a game won by the Cougars, 36-31.
Keenum leads the nation in total offense, averaging 407.2 yards per game. He leads the Cougars in passing with 2,287 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing close to 68 percent of his passes (201 of 297.)
Hunt put on a show for the home crowd, racking up a career-high-tying three sacks and eight tackles in the Cougars' 45-20 come-from-behind victory over UAB. With the Blazers up 20-3 at the half, Hunt and his defensive teammates shut out UAB after halftime, holding the Blazers to just 75 yards of total offense in the second half. Hunt and the rest of the defense limited the Blazers to 2-of-16 on third-down conversions and forced three interceptions.
Hunt is second nationally in sacks per game with 1.33 (eight total) and has racked up 28 total tackles on the year.
Special teams recognition was given to UAB senior kicker/punter Swayze Waters.
Houston returns to action on Saturday, October 18, traveling to Dallas to take on SMU at 7 pm. The game will be broadcast on 790 The Sports Animal beginning one hour prior to kickoff, with Tom Franklin handling the play-by-play duties, Ted Pardee as the color analyst and Chuck Brown working the sidelines.
