University of Houston Athletics
Case Keenum Named O'Brien Award Semifinalist
10/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2011
Houston, Texas - Houston senior quarterback Case Keenum was named a semifinalist for the 2011 Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the nation's top quarterback.
Narrowed down from all 120 quarterbacks from NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, semifinalists were selected by The O'Brien National Selection Committee, with the Fan Vote accounting for five percent of the total vote. The committee was asked to consider the following criteria: quarterback skills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.
Keenum was a finalist for the award in 2009 and is one of three finalists making a repeat appearance on the 2011 list. He joins 2010 finalists Andrew Luck (Sr., Stanford) and Kellen Moore (Sr., Boise State).
The nation's leading passer, Keenum broke a pair of NCAA career records in Saturday's 63-28 win over Marshall. He topped Timmy Chang's (Hawaii) career total offense record and then surpassed former Central Michigan signal caller Dan Lefevour's total touchdowns accounted for mark.
Keenum was magnificent vs. a solid Marshall defensive unit, completing 24-of-28 passes for 376 yards, six passing TDs and no interceptions. Keenum connected on a 30-yard pass to senior Justin Johnson in the first quarter, passing Chang's career mark of 16,910 total yards. Keenum now has 17,173 career yards, No. 1 all-time in college football FBS.
Keenum added to his history-making day by tying a career high with six TD tosses. His sixth TD of the afternoon pushed his career total to 150, supplanting Lefevour's NCAA career record of 149 TDs accounted for. The Abilene, Texas, native has 130 career scoring throws and 20 career rushing touchdowns.
He is just one touchdown behind former Hawaii QB Colt Brennan (131) for second on the NCAA's all-time TD passes list and four from tying former Texas Tech star Graham Harrell (134) for the all-time record.
Keenum opened the day completing his first seven passes for 100 yards and a score. After two consecutive misfires, he then ripped off 15 consecutive completions, resulting in 259 more yards and four TDs.
Nationally Keenum is second-to-none passing the football in 2011. He leads the country in total offense (389.3) and captains the country's top passing (441.7), scoring (49.3) and total yardage group (606.1).
2011 Davey O'Brien Semifinalists
Matt Barkley JR USC Pac-12Tajh Boyd SO Clemson ACCKirk Cousins SR Michigan State Big TenSeth Doege JR Texas Tech Big 12Robert Griffin III JR Baylor Big 12Landry Jones JR Oklahoma Big 12Case Keenum SR Houston C-USAAndrew Luck SR Stanford Pac-12Kellen Moore SR Boise St. MWCKeith Price SO Washington Pac-12Denard Robinson JR Michigan Big TenRyan Tannehill SR Texas A&M Big 12Darron Thomas JR Oregon Pac-12Brandon Weeden SR Oklahoma State Big 12Russell Wilson SR Wisconsin Big TenTyler Wilson JR Arkanasas SEC
Fans can help determine which three quarterbacks will advance as finalists by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at noon (CT) on Nov. 20.
The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 21. The 2011 Davey O'Brien winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards airing Thursday, Dec. 8 on ESPN. F
The 35th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner will be held on Feb. 20, 2012 Fort Worth, Texas.
