University of Houston Athletics
Football Opens Practice to Public
12/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 17, 2011
HOUSTON - The University of Houston football program opened up practice on Saturday afternoon and invited fans to attend and stick around afterwards for an autograph session.
Saturday's practice was the only open session to the public as the remainder of the bowl practice schedule will be closed as the Cougars get ready for the Jan. 2 TicketCity Bowl in Dallas.
Following the practice, the student-athletes gathered around tables inside the Alumni/Athletic Center as hundreds of fans were able to get autographs and have pictures taken with members of the team.
"It was fun to see the crowd come out and support us for a practice," said Case Keenum. We've got a lot more practices left as we get ready for a great opponent in Penn State so it was cool to break up the routine and let the crowd come out and cheer us on."
Not to get lost in the day's activities is the task at hand as the Cougars continued to prepare for a Penn State team whose defense ranks top-10 nationally in pass efficiency, passing defense, scoring defense and total defense.
Additionally, only one opponent was able to pass for over 300 yards against the Nittany Lions - a feat Keenum accomplished 13 times this year en route to being the NCAA leader in career 300-yard passing games (38).
Interim head coach Tony Levine played as a wide receiver for the University of Minnesota from 1991-1995 and was twice named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team.
"I actually caught my first collegiate pass at Happy Valley Stadium in Penn State's first Big 10 game," said Levine. "Not that I have a good memory or anything, but it was on Sept. 4, 1993."
"We're very aware of their tradition and what they bring to the table. They have an unbelievable defense that will be the best we have played against all season. We're looking forward to the challenge and I can confidently say that our kids will be ready."
