UH Coogs' Keenum is a Davey O'Brien finalist

[WoodysGirl]

Case Keenum made the cut as one of the nation's top three college quarterbacks.

Will that translate into a trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy announcement ceremony?

Keenum, Colt McCoy of Texas and Tim Tebow of Florida are the finalists for the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.

The O'Brien is considered the most prestigious award for college quarterbacks. The only player in Houston Cougars history to win the O'Brien is Andre Ware, who also won the Heisman Trophy, in 1989.

Eight of the past nine Heisman winners were quarterbacks. Six of those eight Heisman quarterbacks also won the O'Brien. The two discrepancies came in 2002 (O'Brien: Brad Banks of Iowa; Heisman: Carson Palmer of USC) and 2004 (O'Brien: Jason White of Oklahoma; Heisman: Matt Leinart of USC).

Keenum has completed 70 percent of his passes (387 of 553) for a nation-leading 4,599 yards and 36 touchdowns (against six interceptions). He is fifth in the nation in passing efficiency and is 401 yards away from becoming the only quarterback beside Texas Tech's Grahahm Harrell to pass for 5,000 yards in more than one season. Keenum has rushed for three touchdowns and led the 25th-ranekd Cougars (9-2) to three game-winning drives in the final minute this season.

McCoy has completed 73 percent of his passes (286 of 392) for 3,204 yards and 23 touchdowns (against nine interceptions). He is 10th in the nation in passing efficiency and has an NCAA-record 43 victories as a starting quarterback. He also has rushed for 193 yards and a touchdown for the No. 3 Longhorns (11-0).

Tebow has completed 65 percent of his passes (145 of 223) for 1,945 yards and 14 touchdowns (against four interceptions). He is ninth in the nation in passing efficiency and has rushed 706 yards and 11 touchdowns for the top-ranked Gators (11-0). Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy and O'Brien in 2007, led the Gators to the national championship last season.

The announcement of the O'Brien award winner will be televised on ESPN at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10. Fan voting, which accounts for 5 percent of the candidates' votes, closes at noon on Dec. 6 (www.VoteOBrien.org).

"I think on paper from a statistical standpoint there is no doubt he deserves to be considered for this prestigious award," UH coach Kevin Sumlin said. "Throw in the intangibles of what he accomplishes both on and off the field, and it further shows what a deserving candidate he is."​

The school said Keenum, a junior from Abilene, would not be available for comment until the regular Tuesday media luncheon.


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http://blogs.chron.com/cougars/2009/11/coogs_keenum_makes_obrien_fina.html


wOOHOOO!

 

[Doomsday101]

I wish him luck on getting the award Keenum has done an outstanding job for the coogs at the OB position.

 

[silverbear]

As I've posted before, Keenum should not be in the Heisman competition, but he should win the O'Brien... he is the best QB in college football this year, but he's not the most valuable player in college football...

 

[Biggems]

I think Masoli should be on the list, even if he isnt going to win.

 

[theogt]

As I've posted before, Keenum should not be in the Heisman competition, but he should win the O'Brien... he is the best QB in college football this year, but he's not the most valuable player in college football...

He's certainly the most valuable player to his team.

 

[silverbear]

He's certainly the most valuable player to his team.

Absolutely, but being Houston's MVP isn't one of the leading criteria for winning the Heisman...

No quarterback who loses to UTEP should ever, EVER win the Heisman...

 

[theogt]

Absolutely, but being Houston's MVP isn't one of the leading criteria for winning the Heisman...

No quarterback who loses to UTEP should ever, EVER win the Heisman...

Uhh....he threw for 536 yards, completed 67% of his passes, 5 TDs, and 0 INTs in that game.

This statement is exactly why he won't win it though. It's in large part a team award.

 

[Biggems]

Absolutely, but being Houston's MVP isn't one of the leading criteria for winning the Heisman...

No quarterback who loses to UTEP should ever, EVER win the Heisman...

Keenum doesnt play defense....but then again, neither does the Houston defense

 

[silverbear]

Uhh....he threw for 536 yards, completed 67% of his passes, 5 TDs, and 0 INTs in that game.

This statement is exactly why he won't win it though. It's in large part a team award.

Pal, as a former student at UTEP, I follow them quite closely... so I'm well aware of the numbers he put up against them... my remark was a tongue-in-cheek throwaway line, but one that bears directly on your last, cogent observation... that is indeed why Keenum will almost certainly not win the Heisman, no matter what stats he puts up...

After the last couple-three days, I honestly believe that Colt McCoy has moved to the front of the Heisman list... while he put up 302 yards passing and 176 yards rushing against the Aggies, his chief competition, Mark Ingram from Alabama, was held to just 32 yards on 16 carries against Auburn...

But as I've also said, the Davey O'Brien Award goes to college football's best quarterback each year, and this year, that's Keenum, hands down... at this point, the four awards that I'd already give out are McCoy for the Heisman, Keenum the O'Brien, Ingram the Doak Walker (for the nation's best RB, though sentimentally I'll be rooting for UTEP's own Donald Buckram), and Jordan Shipley for the Biletnikoff (given to the nation's best receiver)...

 

[silverbear]

Keenum doesnt play defense....but then again, neither does the Houston defense

And neither do the Miners... LOL...

I have to laugh, to keep from crying; UTEP is 3-8 this year, and THIS close to being 8-3... they have 5 losses by a TD or less... in the course of the season, they have allowed 34.6 points per game, which is why they're 3-8... with just a LITTLE defense, the Miners would be looking at a bowl game this year...

 

[theogt]

Pal, as a former student at UTEP, I follow them quite closely... so I'm well aware of the numbers he put up against them... my remark was a tongue-in-cheek throwaway line, but one that bears directly on your last, cogent observation... that is indeed why Keenum will almost certainly not win the Heisman, no matter what stats he puts up...

After the last couple-three days, I honestly believe that Colt McCoy has moved to the front of the Heisman list... while he put up 302 yards passing and 176 yards rushing against the Aggies, his chief competition, Mark Ingram from Alabama, was held to just 32 yards on 16 carries against Auburn...

But as I've also said, the Davey O'Brien Award goes to college football's best quarterback each year, and this year, that's Keenum, hands down... at this point, the four awards that I'd already give out are McCoy for the Heisman, Keenum the O'Brien, Ingram the Doak Walker (for the nation's best RB, though sentimentally I'll be rooting for UTEP's own Donald Buckram), and Jordan Shipley for the Biletnikoff (given to the nation's best receiver)...

Recognizing what is the reality (i.e., that Keenum will not win due to his team) is very different from advocating for that reality. You used the word "should," which means that you think that a player's team should have a bearing on the award for the best player in college football.