University of Houston Athletics
Keenum Named Maxwell Award Semifinalist
10/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2011
Houston, Texas - Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced on Monday that University of Houston senior quarterback Case Keenum was named a semifinalist for the 75th Maxwell Award, given annually to the Collegiate Player of the Year in college football.
Keenum is one of just 16 candidates on the prestigious list, which was selected by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee. Houston's Keenum, Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, who lead the nation in total offense, passing efficiency and receiving yards respectively, highlight the Maxwell nominations.
The Abilene, Texas, native has been the nation's top passer all season in 2011 and leads the country with 402.4 yards passing per game. Keenum is among the Top Five nationally in virtually every passing category, including ranking first in touchdown passes (32), first in yards (3,219), first in touchdown-to-interception ratio (32-to-3), second in pass efficiency (194.1), second in yards per attempt (10.6) and fifth in completion percentage (71.9). The senior shattered yet another NCAA record in a 73-34 win over Rice last week, breaking the career touchdown passing mark in the process. He surpassed former Texas Tech signal caller Graham Harrell (134 career TDs) in the win and currently has 139 career scoring throws. Next on Keenum's list is the NCAA's all-time passing yardage mark. He needs just 267 more yards to break the record of 17,072, which is held by former Hawaii star Timmy Chang.
The winners of the 75th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show Powered by the Home Depot on December 8, 2011. Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 21, 2011, and a second round of voting will take place at that time. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Harrah's Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Semifinalist voting by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 1 and close on Sunday Nov. 20. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.All Semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order with the player's class, position and school.
Keenum was also named the National Player of the Week by Rivals.com on Monday following his incredible 534-yard, nine-touchdown effort vs. Rice. Keenum was also named the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, while teammate Patrick Edwards was named the National Player of the Week by both the College Football Performance Awards and College Sports Madness.
Houston returns to action on Saturday at UAB. The final regular-season home game for UH is set for Nov. 19 vs. Southern Methodist University. Tickets for that contest are on sale now by calling 713-GO-COOGS. Tickets are also available for purchase online at UHCougars.com.
2011 Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Player Class Pos. College
Matt Barkley Jr. QB University of Southern CaliforniaJustin Blackmon Jr. WR Oklahoma State UniversityTajh Boyd So. QB Clemson UniversityRyan Broyles Sr. WR University of OklahomaRobert Griffin, III Jr. QB Baylor UniversityLaMichael James Jr. RB University of OregonLandry Jones Jr. QB University of OklahomaCase Keenum Sr. QB University of HoustonAndrew Luck Sr. QB Stanford UniversityKellen Moore Sr. QB Boise State UniversityChris Polk Jr. RB University of WashingtonTrent Richardson Jr. RB University of AlabamaBrandon Weeden Sr. QB Oklahoma State UniversityRussell Wilson Sr. QB University of WisconsinDavid Wilson Jr. RB Virginia Tech UniversityRobert Woods So. WR University of Southern California
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