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12/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2011
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HOUSTON - The Houston Cougars dominated the 2011 Conference USA All-Conference football teams on Tuesday, as UH players filled 12 spots on the first and second teams. Houston also had four players receive honorable mention accolades and three players named to the All-Freshman squad.
Houston placed six members on the first team, with five coming on offense. Senior quarterback Case Keenum led the list, which also included senior center Chris Thompson, tight end Justin Johnson, running back Charles Sims and wide receiver Patrick Edwards. The UH offense was tops in college football this season, averaging 50.8 points and 599.0 yards per game.
Keenum was the country's top passer this season, throwing for 5,099 yards and 45 touchdowns. His yardage and TD totals led the country, while his completion percentage (71.7) and passing efficiency (177.9) ranked among the top six in America.
Thompson was named a first team All-Conference USA choice in 2010 as a guard, but made a smooth transition to center in 2011. He led an offensive line that blocked for the country's most productive offense and allowed just 16 total sacks in 13 games.
Sims had a breakout sophomore season, rushing for a team high 782 yards and nine scores. The versatile running back averaged a team-best 7.5 yards per carry and caught 46 passes for 545 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
Edwards and Johnson were named first team picks as pass-catchers. Edwards led the country with 18 receiving touchdowns. He also ranked among national leaders with 1,524 yards and 19.3 yards per reception. He owns the nation's top receiving day with his seven catches for 318 yards and five touchdowns vs. Rice. Johnson, named to the all-league squad as a tight end, was one of the conference's more versatile players, lining up all over the field (backfield, tight end and wide receiver) to create match-up nightmares for opposing coaches. Johnson registered career highs in receptions (75), yards (1,081) and touchdowns (11) this season and the combination of Edwards and Johnson had more receiving scores (29) than any duo in America.
