Case Keenum
Encyclopedia
Casey Austin "Case" Keenum (born February 17, 1988) is a redshirt senior quarterback
for the Houston Cougars football
team. Keenum has already set several school records at the University of Houston
and has positioned himself to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards in 2011. On October 22, 2011 Case became the Football Bowl Subdivision's all-time leader in total offense. On October 27, 2011 Case became the all-time leader in total touchdowns by an FBS quarterback. During that game he threw for nine touchdowns and 534 yards.
In the 2008 college football season
, Keenum ranked first nationally in total offense and second in total passing yards. As a result of his on-field contributions to Houston's success, Keenum was named to several All-American lists. He is only the second quarterback in Division I FBS football history to have earned greater than 5,000 passing yards in back to back seasons.
in Abilene, Texas
. During his high school career, he passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns and rushed for 41 touchdowns and 2,000 yards. Logging 42 starts at quarterback, Keenum posted a career record of 31–11, including a 17–14 victory over Cuero
on Dec. 10, 2004 for the Class 3A Division I state championship, Wylie's first and only state title to date. In addition to being recruited by Houston, Keenum was recruited by Baylor
, North Texas
, and UTEP
, although Houston was the only university to offer a scholarship. Keenum also earned varsity letters in basketball and track during his high school career.
during the 2006 season. During his freshman
season, decorated senior Kevin Kolb
held the starting quarterback position for the Cougars, leading the coaching staff to redshirt
Keenum for the season. The 2006 Cougars won the Conference USA
championship, and Kolb was drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
.
. He threw for 179 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-27 passing and added 47 rushing yards on nine carries against the Ducks. Against C-USA rival Tulane Green Wave
in the second game, Keenum threw for 185 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-21 passing, leading Houston to a 34–10 win. In the third game of the year against the Colorado State Rams
, Keenum came on in relief of starter Blake Joseph and accounted for four touchdowns. For this performance, Keenum was recognized as CollegeSportsReport.com's Division I FBS National Performer of the Week. Keenum played at quarterback in all thirteen games of the season, starting in seven. Late in the season, the UH coaching staff finally tabbed Keenum to be the regular starting quarterback over Blake Joseph. Keenum’s outstanding pocket presence and efficient passing won out in the end over Joseph’s stronger arm and running ability.
During the 2008 season, Keenum became the second player in school history to complete over 5,000 passing yards in one season. He also led the nation in total offense, and was the national runner-up in passing yards, behind Texas Tech's
Graham Harrell
. The Houston Cougars would show many signs of improvement as a whole, as they won their first bowl game since 1980 with a win over Air Force, and defeated two nationally ranked opponents. Following the season, Keenum would win the 2008 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award.
during the Cougars' third game of the season against UCLA. The injury ended Keenum's season.
Leads active FBS QB's in career completion percentage.
.
, and is the son of Steve Keenum who served as an offensive lineman and later as head football coach and athletic director at McMurry
. The elder Keenum, known for an aggressive passing offensive strategy, was also head coach at Sul Ross State
, offensive coordinator
at Tarleton State
, and offensive line coach
at Hardin-Simmons
.
Case got married before coming back for his 6th year at University of Houston. Kimberly Keenum is also from Abilene, Texas and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Houston Cougars football
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
team. Keenum has already set several school records at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
and has positioned himself to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards in 2011. On October 22, 2011 Case became the Football Bowl Subdivision's all-time leader in total offense. On October 27, 2011 Case became the all-time leader in total touchdowns by an FBS quarterback. During that game he threw for nine touchdowns and 534 yards.
In the 2008 college football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
, Keenum ranked first nationally in total offense and second in total passing yards. As a result of his on-field contributions to Houston's success, Keenum was named to several All-American lists. He is only the second quarterback in Division I FBS football history to have earned greater than 5,000 passing yards in back to back seasons.
High school career
Keenum played football for Wylie High SchoolWylie High School (Abilene, Texas)
The Wylie Independent School District is a public school district based in the far southern portion of Abilene, Texas, United States....
in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
. During his high school career, he passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns and rushed for 41 touchdowns and 2,000 yards. Logging 42 starts at quarterback, Keenum posted a career record of 31–11, including a 17–14 victory over Cuero
Cuero High School
Cuero High School is a 3A high school located in Cuero, Texas . It is part of the Cuero Independent School District located in DeWitt County.-Athletics:The Cuero Gobblers compete in the following sports:...
on Dec. 10, 2004 for the Class 3A Division I state championship, Wylie's first and only state title to date. In addition to being recruited by Houston, Keenum was recruited by Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
, North Texas
North Texas Mean Green football
The North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four...
, and UTEP
UTEP Miners football
The UTEP Miners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Texas at El Paso . With a history dating back to 1914, UTEP currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of Conference USA . UTEP currently plays their home games at the Sun Bowl...
, although Houston was the only university to offer a scholarship. Keenum also earned varsity letters in basketball and track during his high school career.
2006 season
Keenum began his college career at the University of HoustonUniversity of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
during the 2006 season. During his freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
season, decorated senior Kevin Kolb
Kevin Kolb
Kevin Benjamin Kolb is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston....
held the starting quarterback position for the Cougars, leading the coaching staff to redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
Keenum for the season. The 2006 Cougars won the Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
championship, and Kolb was drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
2007 season
In fall camp before the 2007 season, the Cougars held a de facto quarterback competition to fill the starting spot vacated by the departure of four-year starter Kevin Kolb. The competition swung between Keenum and sophomore Blake Joseph throughout two-a-days and during much of the season, with each player displaying a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Keenum made his first collegiate appearance on September 1, 2007 when the Cougars opened the season at the Oregon DucksOregon Ducks football
The Oregon Ducks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Oregon located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Known as the Ducks, the...
. He threw for 179 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-27 passing and added 47 rushing yards on nine carries against the Ducks. Against C-USA rival Tulane Green Wave
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
in the second game, Keenum threw for 185 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-21 passing, leading Houston to a 34–10 win. In the third game of the year against the Colorado State Rams
Colorado State Rams football
The Colorado State Rams football program, established in 1893, represents Colorado State University and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference under head coach Steve Fairchild...
, Keenum came on in relief of starter Blake Joseph and accounted for four touchdowns. For this performance, Keenum was recognized as CollegeSportsReport.com's Division I FBS National Performer of the Week. Keenum played at quarterback in all thirteen games of the season, starting in seven. Late in the season, the UH coaching staff finally tabbed Keenum to be the regular starting quarterback over Blake Joseph. Keenum’s outstanding pocket presence and efficient passing won out in the end over Joseph’s stronger arm and running ability.
2008 season
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and is currently on their scout team. He played college football at Texas Tech.-Early years:...
. The Houston Cougars would show many signs of improvement as a whole, as they won their first bowl game since 1980 with a win over Air Force, and defeated two nationally ranked opponents. Following the season, Keenum would win the 2008 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award.
2009 season
Keenum led the Houston Cougars to a 10–4 record in 2009. Keenum finished the 2009 season with 48 total touchdowns and over 5800 total offensive yards. His play helped Houston upset then #5-ranked Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and later Mississippi State. Houston played East Carolina on the road in the Conference USA Championship, but lost the game in the final minute. Houston faced Air Force in a rematch of the previous year's Armed Forces Bowl. However, this time, Air Force emerged victorious. In cold, windy conditions, Keenum threw 6 interceptions in the game, and was held to only one touchdown. Keenum finished the season, though, with over 5800 yards of total offense and 48 touchdowns.2010 season
Keenum was in a position to challenge more than one major NCAA division one passing record at the start of the 2010 season, including career passing yards and touchdowns. However, after throwing for a total of 636 passing yards and three touchdowns in three games, Keenum tore his ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
during the Cougars' third game of the season against UCLA. The injury ended Keenum's season.
Leads active FBS QB's in career completion percentage.
2011 season
On January 14, 2011, the NCAA granted Keenum a sixth year of eligibility. Prior to the 2011 season, he was named the 2011 Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the third year in a row. On October 27th, 2011, Keenum set the all time passing touchdowns record by throwing for 9 touchdowns against Rice On November 19th, 2011, Keenum set the record for career completions in a 37-7 win over SMUSMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
.
College awards
- 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year
- 2008 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year
- 2009 Finalist, Davey O' Brien Award
- 2009 Finalist, Walter Camp Award
- 2009 Conference USA Most Valuable Player
- 2009 Sammy Baugh TrophySammy Baugh TrophyThe Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The award is named in honor of former Texas Christian University and Washington Redskins quarterback "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus since 1959...
- 2011 Sammy Baugh Trophy
Personal life
Case Keenum spent his childhood in Abilene, TexasAbilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, and is the son of Steve Keenum who served as an offensive lineman and later as head football coach and athletic director at McMurry
McMurry University
McMurry University, founded in 1923, is a private co-educational university in Abilene, Texas. It is a liberal arts school offering forty-one majors in the fields of fine arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, education, business, and religion, and nine pre-professional programs, including...
. The elder Keenum, known for an aggressive passing offensive strategy, was also head coach at Sul Ross State
Sul Ross State University
Sul Ross State University , a public university in Alpine, Texas, is named for former Texas governor, Civil War general Lawrence Sullivan Ross. It was founded in 1917 as Sul Ross Normal College and was made a university in 1969....
, offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at Tarleton State
Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University is a public, coeducational, state university located in Stephenville, Texas. It is the largest non-land-grant university primarily devoted to agriculture in the United States....
, and offensive line coach
Offensive line coach
The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator....
at Hardin-Simmons
Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin–Simmons University is a private Baptist university located in Abilene, Texas, United States.-History:Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher...
.
Case got married before coming back for his 6th year at University of Houston. Kimberly Keenum is also from Abilene, Texas and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
See also
- List of Division I FBS passing yardage leaders
- List of Division I FBS passing touchdown leaders
External links
- Houston Cougars profile
- Case Keenum recruiting profile at Rivals.com