University of Houston Athletics
Sumlin Names Keenum His Opening Day Starter
8/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Houston, Texas - University of Houston head football coach Kevin Sumlin on Sunday announced that sophomore Case Keenum will be the Cougars' opening-day starter at quarterback against Southern University on Aug. 30, 2008. Keenum had been in an on-going battle with junior Blake Joseph to see who would be named the No. 1 quarterback.
"This was a decision that needed some time to make," Sumlin said. "These two guys battled their hearts out during the spring, off-season and over these past two weeks. As a staff we feel Case has earned the right to be the starter, and he is the guy we're going with on opening day."
The consensus 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Keenum started seven games last season and played in all 13, finishing his rookie campaign by establishing a Houston record for completion percentage in a season (68.5). Keenum threw for 2,259 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for nine additional scores as well as 412 yards on the ground.
Keenum had at least one rushing or passing touchdown in every game except for one, and was an Honorable Mention, Freshman All-America by two media outlets. He threw for a career-high 335 yards and one touchdown against TCU in the 2007 Texas Bowl.
Joseph was the 2007 opening-day starter and played in 11 games last season, including five as the starter. He threw for 1,324 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 109 yards and one TD on the ground. Joseph posted a career-high 318 yards passing in UH's 56-48 win over Rice in the annual Bayou Bucket cross-town clash.
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